If the Americans want to target Rory McIlroy at the Ryder Cup in Chicago then that is perfectly fine with him.
“This week I’m not the number one player in the world,” McIlroy said on Wednesday. “I’m one person in a 12-man team and that’s it.
“It’s a team effort. There’s 12 guys striving towards the same goal. I’m just part of that.”
Yet there is no doubt many Americans feel that if they can bring down the 23-year-old Northern Irishman - three wins in his last five starts, including his second major - then they will be a long way towards winning back the trophy.
Jim Furyk said last week “obviously he’s a marked man. Right now he’s the present day Tiger Woods where everyone’s eyes are on him.”
And winning 2010 captain Paul Azinger stated: “He can slump his shoulders. If he loses two matches that first day the whole dynamic in the European team room changes.
“I think Europe have always looked for Tiger and he’s been easy to find. We always used to look for Seve Ballesteros.”
McIlroy, who had one win, two halves and one loss on his cup debut two years ago, is expected to partner compatriot Graeme McDowell again.
“I don’t think I have a bullseye on my back,” the 23-year-old added.
“I think it’s a huge compliment that people are saying they want to beat me and whatever.
“Whoever wants to take me on, they can take me on.
“I just want to go out and get a point for the team and whether that’s going out first or fourth or in the middle really doesn’t make a difference to me.
“And it doesn’t make a difference who I play. I’m going to go out there and give it my best to win that point.”
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