BEFORE the Ryder Cup began last week, Rory McIlroy, one of Europe's big guns, described the bi-annual match with the United States as an 'exhibition', insisting the event was to be enjoyed but wasn't 'that important' to him.

Upon hearing the Northern Irishman's comments, I chuckled to myself. Ah, the naivety of youth. For I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that in a week's time the world number nine would be gulping down a generous slice of humble pie.

Lo and behold, after four days of intense golf, highs and lows, fist pumps, American whoops and European cheers, eagles, birdies, pars, bogeys and all the rest, everyone, including McIlroy, knew that they had been a part of something magnificent. This was sport in its purest form.

McIlroy, having contributed 2.5 points to Europe's winning total of 14.5, including a vital half against Stewart Cink in the final day's singles, had been swept away, like everybody else, on an emotional roller-coaster that had convinced him that this was the greatest event of them all.

Some exhibition that turned out to be, quipped one journalist. To which, sure enough, McIlroy responded: “This has been the greatest week of my golfing life, by far. It has been absolutely incredible. To share every moment with my team-mates has just been fantastic.

“I'm still young but I don't want to miss a Ryder Cup for the next 20 years.

“I realise now what the Ryder Cup means to everyone and I now truly believe that it is the best golf tournament in the world.”

I could have written his response to that remark a week earlier. For there is nothing quite like team sport.

Golf is an individual's game. Ninety-nine per cent of tournaments are contested on your own, with only your caddy alongside you, and the goal is to finish at the top of that leaderboard.

And what a feeling it is when you manage it. Invariably, it is the culmination of years of hard work and hours of dedication on the practice range.

But there is nothing quite like being mobbed by your team-mates, your captain, and hundreds of adoring fans after sinking the winning putt to win the Ryder Cup, just as Graeme McDowell did on Monday.

To share that moment of collective achievement with those who have striven over the course of four days to create this victory chance, who have dragged you up when at your lowest ebb, have given you a consoling pat on the back or an encouraging pat on the buttocks...there is nothing quite like it.

That is why the Ryder Cup stands out as one of the greatest sporting events in the world. It brings players who have been taught all their lives that 'I' is the only word that matters together, and teaches them that there can be a 'we' and an 'us', and it combines to create one of the greatest of all spectacles.

Yes, Europe won. But Rory understands now. Even in defeat, there really is nothing quite like the Ryder Cup.