Rory McIlroy has revealed he feels 'betrayed' after a number of his Ryder Cup teammates joined the LIV Golf Series. Since its inception earlier this year, LIV has rocked the world of professional golf.
Amid the controversies, golf's biggest names were warned of bans from the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the Ryder Cup if they made the Saudi switch. This did not stop a number of Europe's biggest names from making the move, with Ryder Cup legends Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia all signing on the dotted line with Greg Norman.
These names had been pivotal to Europe's successes in the matchplay team event over the past two decades, but seemed comfortable to give that up in exchange for LIV's riches.
One man who has made his feelings known throughout the saga has been McIlroy, often speaking out against the Saudi-funded circuit. And in his latest comments, the recently crowned world No. 1 has questioned the loyalty of Poulter and co.
Speaking to the Guardian, McIlroy said: "It's a weird thing. I think it is the first time in my life that I have felt betrayal in a way. It's an unfamiliar feeling to me. You build bonds with these people through Ryder Cups and other things.
"Them knowing that what they are about to do is going to jeopardise them from being a part of that ever again? There was a great opportunity for GMac [Graeme McDowell] to maybe be the captain at Adare in 2027. Most of Sergio's legacy is Ryder Cup-based, same with Poulter and Westwood.
"I would like to think the Ryder Cup means as much to them as it does to me. Maybe it does. But knowing what the consequences could be, I just could never make that decision. OK, it might not be 100% certain but that it could be the outcome?
Do you think LIV Golf players should be able to compete in the Ryder Cup? Let us know in the comments section below.
"It just isn't a move I would be willing to make. I thought they felt the same way."
The comments come with the next Ryder Cup less than 12 months away, as Europe host a high-flying Team USA following their record-breaking win in Wisconsin in 2021.
With it looking like the stalwarts of Europe will miss out, McIlroy has called on a new breed of European golfers to take over. Per the Daily Mail he said last month: "The future of the Ryder Cup is the Højgaards [Danish twins Rasmus and Nicolai], Bobby Mac [Robert MacIntyre], whoever else is coming up. Like they are the future of The Ryder Cup Team. That's what we should be like thinking about and talking about."
