The Ryder Cup is only a month away folks.

The greatest show in golf returns to European shores this year with the American team looking to defend the title they won so comfortably in 2016.

With the possibility of giving a resurgent Tiger Woods a players brief this year, the USA will be confident of causing an upset behind enemy lines.

For Team Europe on the other hand, there have some been some very encouraging performances throughout the year too - none more so than that of Francesco Molinari who claimed his first Open Championship title at the end of July.

Tommy Fleetwood has also provided plenty of cause for optimism this year with some fine performances of his own and will be one of Thomas Bjorn’s most exciting options in France at the end of September.

However, Bjorn might just have a few sleepless nights over Rory McIlroy after the Northern Irishman’s indifferent year.

While McIlroy managed to finish tied for second at the Open, he was clearly not at his best.

And, after struggling to make his mark again at this last weekend's PGA Championship, McIlroy’s comments will come as a massive concern for Team Europe.

“It’s been a year where I’ve shown glimpses of what I can do but I just haven’t done it often enough,” a dejected McIlroy said.

“It’s the Major season over and we have to wait a few months to the next one but there’s still a lot of golf to play this year and quite a bit to play for.

“There’s a lot of room for improvement. My swing really hasn’t been where I want it to be. It was pretty good at the start of the year but it’s sort of regressed as the season has went on, you start to fall back into some of the habits you don’t want to.”

Oh dear.

Hearing that your star player’s swing is getting worse as the year goes on is possibly the last thing Bjorn wants to hear right now.

McIlroy could have a big part to play in France but he will need to pull up his socks and show why he is considered one of the best golfers in the world.

It is going to be an almighty tussle for one of the games most famous trophy’s and team Europe are going to need McIlroy to be at his absolute best if they are to wrestle it back.