Rory McIlroy has taken a swipe at European LIV rebels by insisting Sergio García, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood will rue missing the Ryder Cup more than their absence will be felt by the European team in Rome.
García, Poulter and Westwood have been stalwarts for Europe in Ryder Cups. Henrik Stenson was originally named as the captain for this week’s staging of the tournament. That the quartet switched to the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV Tour triggered a breakdown in relationships with the European Tour Group, so none of them will take on playing or backroom responsibilities at Marco Simone. Stenson was basically sacked and replaced by Luke Donald.
McIlroy believes this Ryder Cup may bring a realisation to those rebels over what they have left behind. “It’s certainly a little strange not having them around,” said the 34-year-old. “But I think this week of all weeks it’s going to hit home with them they are not here. They are going to miss being here more than we’re missing them.
“This week is a realisation 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.”
As McIlroy alluded to, the peace deal agreed in principle between tours in Europe, the United States and Saudi’s Public Investment Fund does leave the door ajar for them returning to the Ryder Cup fold.
LIV’s Brooks Koepka, who will play for the US this weekend, was characteristically blunt when asked whether those on his tour had been denied proper opportunity to play in the Ryder Cup.
“I don’t make the decisions,” said the US PGA champion. “Everybody had an opportunity to get there. I mean, I had the same opportunity as every other LIV player, and I’m here. Play better. That’s always the answer.” It should be noted Poulter, García, Westwood and Stenson lost their Ryder Cup prospects partly through resigning as members of the DP World Tour.
However, this is a European team in the midst of evolution. Justin Rose, its oldest member at 43, sees no reason for worry. “There’s a lot of winning culture still in the team,” Rose said. “With the people in and around the team, the captain, the vice-captains. Luke has got an incredible Ryder Cup record. The most winning from a percentage point of view. So the winning culture in our team is as strong as ever.
“Obviously Westy, Poults, as captains or vice captains or however they may or may not be involved in the future, they do have a lot to offer, of course, from experiences and that point of view. But the more we can blood the younger generation coming through, the quicker you’re going to skip through that transition phase.”
A 14-14 tie here would hand the United States the trophy they won comprehensively at Whistling Straits in 2021. That very scoreline at last weekend’s Solheim Cup led to Europe’s women keeping the prize, triggering debate over whether there should be a playoff in event of a draw.
“I would say tying is probably not ideal,” said Tyrrell Hatton. “I think it would be quite interesting if there was a way of putting in a playoff. I think it would be pretty exciting for fans and it would certainly create a pretty epic atmosphere. Playing in front of home fans is always special but that would add something to it.
“I think you probably have the time to do it because in singles you start later in the day compared to fourballs and foursomes. Maybe just having the tee times starting a bit earlier on Sunday would allow for, I don’t know, a nine-hole better-ball, two players best-ball sort of playoff format.”
McIlroy took an alternative stance. “I was watching the Solheim Cup and obviously there were huge celebrations when Europe got to 14,” McIlroy added. “I thought to myself: ‘Geez, they are celebrating a lot for a draw’ but then I go back to Medinah in 2012 and we went ballistic when we got to 14 as well.
“I think retaining it means something, and there’s certainly a historical and traditional element to it. I do like traditions of the game. This competition has been around since 1927 and that’s the way they have always done it. Does that mean that’s the way they always have to do it? Probably not. But it’s nice to keep some of the tradition around the event.”
