McIlroy Says Koepka 'Deserves' To Be At Ryder Cup But Maintains European LIV Players Shouldn't
The 34-year-old says Brooks Koepka deserves his chance at the Ryder Cup, but European LIV Golf players should miss out
Rory McIlroy thinks LIV Golf player Brooks Koepka deserves to be in the Ryder Cup, but European players who play in LIV shouldn't be considered.
The American has been in imperious form in recent weeks. After finishing joint runner-up at the Masters, he followed that performance with victory in the second Major of the year, the PGA Championship at Oak Hill. That has left him with an excellent chance of automatic qualification for Team USA in the tournament at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.
McIlroy, who will appear in this week’s designated event on the PGA Tour, The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, admitted Koepka’s form offers a compelling reason for his inclusion in the biennial tournament.
He said: “I mean, I certainly think Brooks deserves to be on the United States team. I think with how he's played, I mean, he's second in the US standings, only played two counting events. I don't know if there's anyone else on the, you know, on the LIV roster that would make the team on merit and how they're playing. But Brooks is definitely a guy that I think deserves to be on the US team."
A post shared by Golf Monthly (@golfmonthly)
A photo posted by on
However, McIlroy doesn’t think LIV Golf players who would otherwise be eligible for Luke Donald’s Team Europe should play. Crucially, the DP World Tour won a legal battle against LIV Golf players in April, and that appears to be a key reason why, according to the Northern Irishman, the likes of Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood shouldn't be considered.
He said: “I have different feelings about the European team and the other side and sort of how that has all transpired and, yeah, I don't think any of those guys should be a part of the European team."
Last week, Garcia revealed he had spoken to Donald, who had told him he had “no chance” of making the team. That was met with disappointment by World No.2 Jon Rahm, who expressed his sadness that "politics have gotten in the way" of the Ryder Cup.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Rahm, who is also playing in this week’s tournament, said: “It's the best Europeans against the best Americans, period. And whatever is going on, who is playing LIV and who is not playing LIV to me shouldn't matter. It's whoever is best suited to represent the European side. And I have a hard time to believe that the best player Europe has ever had, the most successful player Europe has had on the Ryder Cup isn't fit to be on the team.”
World No.3 McIlroy is a shoo-in for the tournament despite a recent dip in form. However, he achieved a tie for seventh at Oak Hill, suggesting he’s not too far away from his best, and the 34-year-old admitted he is looking forward to the challenge teeing it up at Jack’s Place.
He said: “I haven't won it yet. I would love to be able to put my name on the trophy and walk up that hill and get that handshake from Jack. That would be pretty nice to do. So, yeah, I'm excited to be back, excited to get on a nice little run of golf here coming up over the next few weeks and, yeah, always good to be in Muirfield Village."
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
The 7 Best Pictures We Have Seen From LIV Golf Adelaide
The event in Australia provided a thrilling finish, with plenty of moments captured at the LIV Golf Adelaide tournament
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Jon Rahm's Impressive LIV Golf Record Continues In Adelaide After Joint Round Of The Day
Although he is yet to win on the LIV Golf circuit after joining in December 2023, Rahm's consistency hasn't gone unnoticed as the Spaniard has finished inside the top 10 in all six events
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Tee Times - Round Three
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry hold a share of the lead at the halfway stage, with a host of other big names in contention too
By Ben Fleming Published
-
'An Olympic Medal Would Be Like A Dream' - Lowry And McIlroy Target Success In Paris
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are ready to get back into the Olympic spirit later this year as they look to win a medal at the Paris 2024 golf tournament
By Paul Higham Published
-
‘I Think I Can Be Helpful’ – Rory McIlroy Opens Up On Potential Return To PGA Tour Policy Board
The four-time Major winner resigned from the board six months ago, but with the game still fractured, he could be about to return
By Mike Hall Published
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Tee Times - Rounds One And Two
Rory McIlroy plays alongside Shane Lowry in the team event, while a host of other big names are in the field too
By Mike Hall Published
-
'I Would Welcome It Wholeheartedly' - New DP World Tour Chief 'Delighted' To See Prospective Return Of Rory McIlroy To PGA Tour Board
DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings is looking forward to seeing European representation on the PGA Tour board once again as McIlroy returns to a role he left only late last year
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Prize Money Payout 2024
Nick Hardy and Davis Riley defend their title at the team event as Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry also play
By Mike Hall Published
-
Rory McIlroy Set To Make Shock Return To PGA Tour Policy Board - Report
The World No.2 could be returning to the PGA Tour policy board as a player director once again after stepping down from the role last November
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Has A Unique Team Format - Here's How It Works
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans has a unique format, but how does the PGA Tour’s only team event work?
By Mike Hall Published