USA star sends pointed Ryder Cup message after brash Rory McIlroy claim

Wyndham Clark has already begun playing mind games a year before the Ryder Cup, fresh off his influential role in leading Team USA to a resounding President's Cup victory with an 18.5-11.5 score against their international rivals.

Never one to shy away from theatrics, the 30-year-old Clark was especially spirited during the tournament, directing a playful yet brash "Nighty-night, boys" at South Korea's Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim, following their last-hole defeat by Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele.

With no time wasted after the triumph in Montreal, the reigning US Open champion issued a cheeky warning to Team Europe, who will strive to keep the Ryder Cup next September at Bethpage Black.

On the subject of the USA team's unity under Jim Furyk, Clark confidently responded with a pointed message to their European counterparts.

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"We are a very close team," he declared. "Contrary to what people thought last year at the Ryder Cup, we were in my opinion closer than the Europeans.

"The media tries to divide us apart, and this year we were just as close if not closer. We had so much camaraderie and positive energy between us. When things weren't going well, we still were all picking each other up. It was an amazing team room. So many laughs, so many fond memories."

Clark's subtle hint didn't match up with the final scoreline in Rome, as the hosts triumphed 16.5-11.5. Luke Donald's squad is now focused on being the first team to hang onto the cup on foreign turf since the remarkable 'Miracle of Medinah' back in 2012. However, Clark wasn't shy in hyping up his team's prowess.

"I feel like we're the best players in the world for a reason," he proclaimed. "And I think you get us all together, and I just think we have a little extra something that maybe other people don't have. I think it's the little dog in us."

This isn't unfamiliar territory for Clark, who has kindled the competitive spirit before Ryder Cup play-offs previously. Making waves with his bold entrance in Rome last year, he sparked debate when he confidently claimed he was better than Team Europe's leading player Rory McIlroy.

"I like to think I am better than him and I want to prove that," he confidently declared. Despite suggesting he holds "utmost respect" for the Northern Irish golfer, Clark later insisted his bold claim was misconstrued. His performance in Italy started strong, nabbing 1.5 points in his initial pairings, then facing off against Robert MacIntyre in singles play.

The match turned into an edge-of-the-seat spectacle, with Clark recovering from four behind to draw even with merely two holes remaining. Yet as whispers spread that Europe had clinched the match on another part of the green, it was MacIntyre from Scotland who pushed through to clinch a 2-up victory.

Furyk won't be the one leading the home side next year, as that privilege will go to Keegan Bradley. Currently, World No.3 Clark is poised to secure an automatic spot in Bradley's team, thanks to his single tournament victory in 2024 at the ATandT Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California.