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The golfer expressed gratitude for his time in America, calling it the "land of opportunity."

McIlroy is one of eight Ryder Cup players who reside in Palm Beach County, Florida.

FARMINGDALE, NY — Rory McIlroy recalls the 10-year-old boy growing up in Northern Ireland and weeping when the European Ryder Cup team squandered a 10-6 lead to the U.S. entering the final round at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., in 1999, losing by one point.

That same young golf prodigy also would hear about America, and everyone talking about one day crossing the Atlantic and settling in "the land of opportunity."

"Everyone wanted to make it in America," McIlroy said one day before he leads the Europeans against the Americans in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black .

"And I still

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