Rory McIlroy has reiterated that none of the LIV Golf players should be part of the Ryder Cup team next year.
Ahead of the Italian Open, held at the Ryder Cup host course at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, McIlroy said the team needs an injection of younger players and is ready for a rebuild after the record 19-9 defeat last year at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.
He said: “I have said it once, I've said it a hundred times, I don't think any of those guys should be on the Ryder Cup team. I think we were in need of a rebuild, anyway. We did well with the same guys for a very long time but again as I just said, everything comes to an end at some point. I think Whistling Straits is a good sort of demarcation, I guess.
“I think the European Team has a core of six or seven guys that I think we all know are pretty much going to be on that team, and then it's up to some of the younger guys to maybe step up. You've got your core there with experience in the Ryder Cup and played in a few, so I think you're looking for some of these younger guys over the next 12 months to step up and put their hand up for a possible pick.
“We have got a core group of guys but let's build on that again, and instead of filling those three or four spots with older veterans, let's blood some rookies and let's get them in and build towards the future. I think that's important.”
The World No.2 also revealed that seeing LIV players ahead of him on the leaderboard last week at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth provided him with extra motivation to finish above them. McIlroy eventually came up just short, finishing tied-2nd with Jon Rahm, one shot behind winner Shane Lowry, who finished at 17-under. All three are expected to form part of that core European Ryder Cup team. McIlroy and Rahm finished one shot ahead of the top LIV player, Talor Gooch, with another, Patrick Reed, joint-5th at 14-under.
McIlroy said: “The leaderboard at Wentworth last week at about 2pm on Sunday was looking pretty grim if you were in a position that I hold, and that probably gave me some extra motivation and a few other guys on the leaderboard to get past that 14-under mark. It's a weird time in golf, and hopefully over the next couple years we can resolve it in some sort of way.”
-
Porsche Singapore Classic 2025 Picks, Predictions And OddsThe DP World Tour returns in Asia this week at the Porsche Singapore Classic, and we've picked our favorites to contend as well as an outside shout for the title
-
This Driver Downswing Position Will Open The Floodgates To Effortlessly Powerful Tee Shots... But, Can You Master It?The downswing is crucial for unleashing power with your driver, but so many amateurs allow common faults to creep in. Try this move for a welcome distance boost
-
Rory McIlroy Reunited With Old Clubs After Near $1000 Uber RideThe four-time Major winner switched back to his old clubs at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, with the Uber trip to get them costing a near $1000
-
College Golfer Apologizes After Being Removed From TPC Sawgrass For Heckling Rory McIlroyUniversity of Texas golfer, Luke Potter made a comment to McIlroy during Tuesday's practice round which caused the World No.2 to take his phone
-
'Something Went Terribly Wrong If I Have To Compete At 50' - Rory McIlroy Categorically Rules Out Playing Senior Tour GolfAsked about his long-term plans, the Northern Irishman insisted he would not be visiting the Champions Tour once he's retired from pro golf
-
Why Shane Lowry Has ‘No Idea’ Which Driver He Is Using At Arnold Palmer InvitationalAfter doing some intense and hectic testing, Shane Lowry admitted he had no idea which exact model of driver he used in the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational
-
Jon Rahm's Legion XIII Signs Landmark LIV Equipment Deal With CallawayCallaway is the first manufacturer to sign up with a LIV Golf team after partnering with Jon Rahm and his Legion XIII side
-
Rory McIlroy Reveals Multiple Equipment Changes At Arnold Palmer InvitationalThe Northern Irishman has made a number of tweaks to his gear setup ahead of this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational
-
'I Don't Think The PGA Tour Needs A Deal. I Think The Momentum Is Pretty Strong' - Rory McIlroy On PGA Tour-PIF Deal And Why He's Adding An Extra Tournament To His ScheduleThe four-time Major winner had plenty to say on a range of subjects affecting the men's elite game - here are six of the key talking points
-
Seminole Pro-Member Scores 2025: Where Did Tiger Woods And Rory McIlroy Finish?New Zealand's Ryan Fox and his playing partner, Jimmy Dunne III almost claimed a clean sweep at the exclusive one-day event in south-east Florida...
