The Northern Irishman spoke out about a discussion he allegedly had with his wife Erica Stoll about the next Ryder Cup in Italy and the absence of his former teammates who left for the LIV.
Rory McIlroy believes it is time to “make new connections” as the world number 2 prepares to play in his seventh Ryder Cup.
For the first time since his debut in the prestigious competition in 2010 at Celtic Manor, he will not encounter the familiar faces of Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood or of the one who was one of his best friends the Spaniard Sergio Garcia.
I hope that I still have a few Ryder Cups left to play and I will therefore try to create new links with the youngest,
But since a chapter is ending and he will no longer be able to turn to his elders to guide him, the time has certainly come for him to assume a role more in keeping with his status.
“I was talking to Erica about it the other night, and I know it’s going to feel weird for me to not have those guys in the locker room when I’ve always known that. This is my seventh Ryder Cup and they have always been there.” McIlroy explained in an article published on Golf Digest.
Remembering some of the 4 editions where he won, the Northern Irishman depicts two of the most volcanic characters of the European selection with a touch of nostalgia.
« Poults et Sergio were passionate and had this excess of energy. But they were two different energies. Poulter was at full tilt all the time while Sergio had this ability to be able to go off whenever he wanted. Having someone like that by your side and knowing that he was going to trigger something at the right time is a unique feeling. I really have this feeling with Shane (Lowry).»
Mission impossible ?
The undisputed leader of European and global golf since the withdrawal of Tiger Woods following his terrible car accident in February 2021, Rory knows that his mission now consists of rekindling the flame that united the players within the European Ryder Cup selection during more than two decades.
“I hope I still have a few Ryder Cups left to play and so I will try to create new links with the younger guys, like Nicolai (Højgaard) and Ludvig (Aberg), as well as with the guys who are good left to be in the team for a long time like Viktor (Hovland) and Jon (Rahm).”
If he succeeds then the chances of seeing l’Europe deprive them States–Unis of a first success on the old continent in 30 years could skyrocket.
©James Gilbert/USGA
2023-09-10 16:48:59
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