Rory McIlroy: “Ryder Cup strange without LIV players, but they’ll miss it more”

Rory McIlroy believes LIV players will realize the consequences of their decision during this Ryder Cup week.

Rory McIlroy says this Ryder Cup week is when the former Team Europe players who joined LIV Golf will realize the magnitude of their decision.

Speaking ahead of his seventh appearance in the biennial clash, the Northern Irishman admitted it was strange being in the team room without the likes of Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, and Graeme McDowell.

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While it’s unlikely that any of the players would have made the team itself, some, if not all, would inevitably have been part of the vice-captain line-up, while Stenson was due to be the captain of this side before he was stripped of the role following his move to the Saudi-backed rebel Tour.

The Swede says he has no regrets, but McIlroy isn’t so sure LIV’s players will all feel that way.

“It’s certainly a little strange not having them around,” McIlroy said. “But I think this week of all weeks, it’s going to hit home with them that, you know, they are not here, and I think they are going to miss being here more than we’re missing them.

“This week is a realization that the decision that they made has led to not being a part of this week, and that’s tough.

“The landscape in golf is ever-changing and more dynamic, and we’ll see what happens and whether they will be part of it in the future. I always thought leading up to this week is when it’s going to hit home that they are not going to be here.”

Meanwhile, McIlroy says the European team‘s rookies have settled well and will form the future of the team.

“Everyone knows this is a bit of a transitional period for the European Team and there are people that have been part of the team for a long time that aren’t here this week.

“But I think the guys that we brought in are going to be awesome. Nicolai, Ludvig, Bob, that’s the future of our team and the future of the Ryder Cup.”

No hierarchy

And despite being seen by many as the team’s natural leader among the players, the four-time Major champion is keen that everyone just focuses on the team as a whole.

“I’m not there giving rallying cries and team speeches,” he explained. “I said this, I think when we came on the practice trip. I’m older than people and I have more experience, and some of these guys have watched me play on TV, but I don’t want anyone looking up to me.

“I just want everyone looking at the side. I want them looking over to me. I don’t want them looking up to me in any way. I want them to see me like I’m on their level. And there’s no hierarchy on our team.

“We are all one part of a 12-man team and we all go forward together. I guess that’s the one message I’ve tried to relay to some of the younger guys on the team.”

Despite his experience, McIlroy is widely expected to play with Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood during the fourballs and foursomes respectively. See our complete guide to Team Europe’s potential pairings.

Youthful regrets

McIlroy, who will seek his fifth Ryder Cup victory this week, 13 years after his first, also reflected on comments he made ahead of his 2010 debut at Celtic Manor where he described the event as an “exhibition” and “not that important” for him.

“It was probably very early in the week at Celtic Manor I took a bit of grief for those comments, and rightfully so,” he reflected.

“I was just so focused on myself and trying to get my career off the ground that I felt like I had sort of bigger and better things to achieve for my individual goals and stuff like that that I just didn’t put any emphasis on making a Ryder Cup Team until you make one, and then you never want to be off one again.

“I love being a part of this team. My most enjoyable moments in my career have been being a part of European Ryder Cup teams. I’m still very, very proud and probably proudest of the things I’ve done as an individual, but nothing beats this week.

“It’s an amazing experience and I want to be a part of it for as long as I can.

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About the Author

Rob Jerram – Digital Editor

Rob specializes in the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the Ryder Cup, spending large chunks of his days reading about, writing about, and watching the tours each month.

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