On the question of whether European players from LIV Golf should be allowed to defend the colors of Europe in the Ryder Cup next year, the Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick and the Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy do not have the same opinion.
McIlroy, 33, told a press conference ahead of the Italian Open that he couldn’t help but bring up the most controversial topic in modern golf history and said he did not want “rebel” players who opted for the LIV to be “selectable” for the Ryder Cup.
Matt Fitzpatrick and Rory McIlroy, statements
“I’ve said it many times, I don’t think these guys need to be on the Ryder Cup team,” repeated McIlroy at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, where the match will be held in 2023.
I know that victory supplants the disagreements that we might have
Matt Fitzpatrick Unlike the winner of the US Open Fitzpatrick, 28, who believes that he must build the best team possible to recover the trophy lost last year at Whistling Straits.
“I said it last week, my goal is to win the Ryder Cup, so in my opinion, I need the 11 best guys on my side if I’m in the team. I don’t care what circuits they play on.” “I just want to make sure we’ll be able to win and I think that’s the most important thing.
I know other guys don’t necessarily agree with that, but I know winning overrides any disagreements you might have.” Fitzpatrick said his brother Alex turned down a check in excess of $2 million to join the controversial tour.
Kind of like when Greg Norman’s league first recruited Chase Koepka before signing four-time Major winner Brooks Koepka. He also said he spoke to a LIV player last week in Wentworth during the BMW PGA Championship explaining that he had no problem with them being part of the team in Rome.
“There is only one player I had a conversation with last week. I told him that I would love to have him on the team. I have no problem with that. Like I said, I want to win, whoever is on the team, that’s all that matters to me.”
