Following a convincing Ryder Cup victory at Marco Simone just outside of Rome two years ago, a champagne-drenched Rory McIlroy made a declaration for all to hear: "One of the biggest accomplishments in golf right now is winning an away Ryder Cup. And that's what we're going to do at Bethpage [Black]."

This is a stance McIlroy has maintained for the better part of a decade, and his boisterous statement roused his compatriots, their fists pounding on the table as if to say, "We'll be right there with you."

Two years later, McIlroy's teammates have largely kept their promise. Europe returns the same captain, Luke Donald, and 11 of its 12 players from the 16.5 to 11.5 triumph over the United States. The lone outlier, Rasmus Højgaard, is replacing his twin brother inside the ropes; Rasmus was

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