RORY MCILROY has been urged by his Europe team-mates to aim for the stars in order to retain the Ryder Cup.

European captain Padraig harrington fired up his team for Whistling Straits' defence with an emotional video that highlighted the club they are.

Only 164 golfers have met the Americans, which is less than one third of those who have been to space.

Harrington's inspiring video, titled "We are the 164" was also featured. McIlroy praised Make It Count.

McIlroy, a four-time major winner, said that Padraig had played a video last night for us to help put it in context.

"164 players represented Great Britain, Ireland and Europe in the Ryder Cup. But 570 people have been to space.

"Over 5,000 people have scaled Everest while 225 men have won Majors. It's an elite group that you can break down and it's quite cool.

"We have this new thing this week, where we all were given a player number as one of the 164.

"I'm no. "I'm No. 118. While you look at all the previous players, you also consider Bernd Wiesberger who will be making his debut in this year's league. He is No. 164

"It's not a large group of people who have played in Ryder Cup. I believe that's what brings them very close together.

"That was one of our main focus points this week. That just being here as part the European team is very special. Few people can claim to be a European Ryder Cup participant.

Video was posted on the Ryder Cup as well as European Tour Twitter sites.

McIlroy acknowledged that Europe started as a huge underdog, despite having won seven of the nine Ryder Cups.

The USA has eight of the top ten best players in the world and an average ranking of ninth.

Jon Rahm, World No. 1, has no European company among the top ten. Their average ranking is 31st.

McIlroy believes that another European win would surpass the "Miracle at Medinah 2012" when Ian Poulter's incredible comeback transformed a 10-point deficit into a 13 1/2 - 13 1/2 win.

He said, "Winning a Ryder Cup in the road has just become more significant for some reason." It was 2012 when we experienced it, and from a European perspective, it is one of the most memorable Ryder Cup days that we have ever had.

"I would love to feel that feeling again. If you look at the world rankings, and all that stuff, it seems like we have a lot against us. It would be even more impressive if we could win again.