Ryder Cup: Rory McIlroy’s savage response to lack of LIV Golfers

ATLANTA — In entrance of a packed media room at East Lake Golf Membership, Rory McIlroy was requested if he had an issue with the Individuals deciding on LIV golfers for his or her Ryder Cup group. The Europeans aren’t allowed to take action.

“No,” McIlroy confidently stated forward of the Tour Championship. “I don’t assume it could make a distinction for us.”

The PGA of America facilitates the Ryder Cup from the U.S. facet. Since that group is separate from the PGA Tour, U.S. Captain Zach Johnson can choose as many LIV gamers as he needs.

Brooks Koepka’s potential spot on the group has been a preferred matter of dialogue currently, particularly since he dropped out of the highest six within the standings following the BMW Championship. The highest six U.S. gamers robotically certified for the group.

Photograph by Michael Reaves/Getty Photographs

Koepka now should depend on a captain’s decide to play for the Individuals in Rome.

Throughout the pond, the DP World Tour organizes the European group.

Together with the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour has barred LIV golfers from enjoying in its occasions and, due to this fact, is not going to permit LIV gamers to symbolize the European flag in Rome.

Nonetheless, McIlroy has by no means been shy of holding again his disdain for LIV Golf. He has repeatedly lamented towards the Saudi-backed tour, particularly throughout the 2022 season.

Many notable European gamers bolted for LIV Golf in 2022, particularly Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter, and Paul Casey, all of whom have helped Europe win a number of Ryder Cups over the previous 20 years.

Photograph by Warren Little/Getty Photographs

Garcia has amassed extra Ryder Cup factors than any participant in historical past.

Westwood has recorded 24 factors, tied with Sir Nick Faldo for third all-time amongst the Europeans.

Stenson performed in 5 Ryder Cups, profitable three of them. He was additionally named the European captain in 2021, however the DP World Tour stripped the Swede of this honor in 2022 after he went to LIV Golf.

Poulter, in the meantime, holed the profitable putt in 2012 to cap off the ‘Miracle at Medinah,’ whereas Casey performed in 5 Ryder Cups himself.

However these gamers are properly previous their prime, therefore why McIlroy made the remark that he did.

The European group will look a lot youthful this yr, with McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Viktor Hovland main the cost.

These three gamers have already certified for the group.

Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrell Hatton, and Matt Fitzpatrick—three excellent English gamers—will certainly symbolize the Europeans in Rome.

As will Shane Lowry, who gained the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Eire.

Different attainable gamers embrace Scotsman Robert MacIntyre, who challenged McIlroy on the Genesis Scottish Open in July.

Photograph by Octavio Passos/Getty Photographs

German Yannik Paul, who has 5 top-10s on the DP World Tour this season, may play for the Europeans.

Adrian Meronk might grow to be the primary man from Poland to play in a Ryder Cup. The 30-year-old Pole leads the DP World Tour in whole strokes gained this season.

As for European Captain Luke Donald, he has till Sept. 3, 2023, to finalize his group.

The alternatives for Staff Europe in 2023 are limitless, however an period of European golf has certainly ended with many notable former Ryder Cuppers bolting for LIV Golf.

That would all change sooner or later, however for now, no LIV gamers will symbolize the blue and gold of Europe, a lot to the delight of McIlroy.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By way of. You possibly can observe him on Twitter @jack_milko for extra golf protection. Remember to take a look at @_PlayingThrough too.