So for those who like numerical titbits, here's a few from this week's Ryder Cup. The 24 players on show here at Medinah are all within the top 35 of the world rankings; the number of individual major champions on each team is four for Europe and seven for the USA; the number of combined major championship victories stands at five for Europe and 23 for the USA and the total number of worldwide career wins for the respective teams is 168 for Europe and 234 for the USA.
We could go on, of course, delving ever deeper into largely pointless detail. This week is all about putting numbers up on the board and getting enough of them to win the Ryder Cup. It's as simple as that.
For Rory McIlroy, there is another number to deal with. As world No.1, McIlroy is in the spotlight like never before but the young Northern Irishman is eager to put that particular figure into the shade for three days of Ryder Cup competition at least. There are 11 other Europeans competing in Chicago, after all.
"This week, I'm not the No.1 player in the world," said the two-time major champion. "I'm one person in a 12-man team and that's it. It's a team effort and there are 12 guys all striving towards the same goal. I'm just part of that. We're a unit, you're not playing for yourself. You're playing for a lot of other people and you don't want to let them down."
McIlroy's successful global exploits have made him the star attraction of the European team and a marked man as far as the US side is concerned. He may lack experience of the Ryder Cup scene, having made his debut just two years ago, but the 23-year-old, who has racked up four wins on American soil this season, is more than willing to lead from the front. He may be something of a new recruit but he wants to be the on-course general.
"I think there are leaders in our team who will lead with experience," said McIlroy, who picked up two points from a possible four from his debut at Celtic Manor. "I don't see my role as a leader in the team room but the way I've played the last couple of years, it's more of a leader out on the course.
"There are a lot more guys that have played more Ryder Cups than me and more experienced in the team room and know when to speak up and have different views on things. This is only my second Ryder Cup and I'm still getting to know and learn about it."
McIlroy is relishing the prospect of being the man that all the US players seem to want to beat and he is ready for the fight ahead. "I think it's a huge compliment that people are saying that they want to beat me," he added. "Whoever wants to take me on, then they can take me on. I just want to go out and get a point for the team.
"Whether that means me going out first or fourth or in the middle, it really doesn't make a difference who I play. If Jose [Maria Olazabal, the European captain] wants me to play in all five matches then great. I want to play as much as I can."
That last statement was music to Olazabal's ears. The European captain sent his troops out for just nine holes yesterday with McIlroy once again partnering fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell in a pairing that is set in stone. "I expect to hear things like that from my players," said Olazabal on McIlroy's eagerness. "It's nice to know the players are willing to put the extra energy and effort in to achieving our goal."
Three years ago, McIlroy stated that he thought the Ryder Cup was nothing more than an "exhibition" and that "it's not that important to me". Now, older and wiser, he admits that his experience at Celtic Manor in 2010 has made him appreciate just how important the biennial battle is.
"I'd been to Ryder Cups before to watch and I knew how exciting they were but it's only when you are actually involved and you play and you stand on the tee with everyone screaming your name, that's when you realise how important it is," he said.
"Celtic Manor certainly opened my eyes. Playing for your team-mates, your captain, your vice-captains, your country and your continent. I realised then what a big deal it is."
McIlory has also realised that the Ryder Cup is something to be enjoyed and savoured. Two years ago he was, by his own admission, a nervous rookie. Now, there is a confident sense of adventure. "I'm a lot more sure of myself and of my ability that I was then," he said. "For the first 11 holes then I was very anxious, very tentative. This year I'm going to go out and give it a go, enjoy it and play the way I play."
It should be fun to watch.
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