Oliver Wilson admitted he was shocked to hear rising star Rory McIlroy dismiss the Ryder Cup as an 'exhibition'.

The Northern Irishman also claimed the biennial tournament was 'taken too seriously' and 'not that important to me', but world No.42 Wilson believes McIlroy will change his tune should he ever compete in the event.

'I was quite surprised when I heard what he had said,' Wilson, who impressed on his Ryder Cup debut last year, said. 'I think his goals and ambitions in the sport are different to mine.

'I've always wanted to play in the Ryder Cup and just be as good as I can be, whereas his game is perhaps more individually based and he wants to be world No.1.

'After playing in the Ryder Cup you understand what it's all about.

'It is not an exhibition, it is phenomenal. There's nothing like it in the world and it's just an amazing event. It gives golf a huge worldwide profile, it's massive.

'He might change his mind when he plays in it and realises it is not an exhibition. He says he won't but we'll see.'

Wilson heads to Wentworth this week where a stellar field, including Paul Casey, Lee Westwood, Ernie Els, McIlroy and Justin Rose, will compete for the BMW PGA Championship.

And the 28-year-old Englishman, who came agonisingly close to winning the tournament last year, is desperate for his first tour title after eight second-place finishes.

'There is a little bit of pressure there while I'm waiting for that win but it is something I try not to think about,' Wilson said.

'I qualified for and played in the Ryder Cup without winning a tournament and maybe did things the wrong way around but that proved I can play under pressure.

'People around me know I am capable of winning tournaments.'

Wilson, who lost a play-off with Miguel Angel Jimenez 12 months ago, added: 'Missing out last year spurs me on but you have to be careful and not think you're going to perform just because you did last year. You have to treat it like any another tournament.'

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