Rory McIlroy is sending messages to Colin Montgomerie every chance he gets - and the Ryder Cup captain must already be dreaming of beating the Americans next year.
After calling the Ryder Cup an 'exhibition' earlier this year, which displeased the irascible Montgomerie, McIlroy is boosting his stock with each tournament he plays and could be the X-factor that helps Europe regain the cup from the United States.
'Monty, I hope you are watching,' the 20-year-old Northern Irishman said after he and Graeme McDowell combined for a stunning 14-under 58 in the first-day fourballs (better ball) at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup to give Ireland a three-stroke lead.
And he threw out another message yesterday after the pair maintained that lead after the foursomes (alternate shot): 'I would love to play with G-Mac in the Ryder Cup. There would be nothing better. It's not up to me and we still have a long way to go. We still have to make the team.'
The Ryder Cup will be played at Celtic Manor in Wales next September. McDowell was on the losing team in Kentucky last year, as the Americans ended Europe's run of three consecutive victories.
Montgomerie already has 12 names on a secret list at his home, and if both 'Macs' are not on it, he will have some serious decision-making to do come next August.