Rory McIlroy stokes Ryder Cup flames with message | Golf News

The Ryder Cup is just around the nook, and Rory McIlroy has added an further layer of stress on Team USA to ship on their home turf.

Team Europe emerged victorious in the last competitors held in Rome two years in the past, and Team USA is itching for a comeback in Bethpage, New York, later this month. Despite ending the season on a high notice, Keegan Bradley opted not to take on the twin function of player-captain for the U.S. when selecting his crew.

Luke Donald continues to lead Team Europe as captain and has finalized his crew choice, with only one alteration from 2023. McIlroy is heading into the Ryder Cup with confidence but acknowledges that the Europeans are the underdogs. It comes after Team USA was left embarrassed by a Rory McIlroy shirt blunder.

In a chat with Sky Sports, McIlroy hinted that Team USA may have a important edge with the assist of the home crowd. “Any time an away Ryder Cup comes to town, I do think we’re still underdogs,” he said.

“It’s a really tall task, but not an insurmountable one. I think there is an opportunity there, but we have to get the planning right. We have to make sure we’re all ready for what lies ahead. But I think Luke Donald’s got everything under control, and I’m sure he’s thought of every single scenario, so I think we’re good in that department.

“Last week was a busy week, this week’s a busy week. Obviously, the 2 days of the apply journey are going to be busy, but from Wednesday to Sunday next week is a time to have a bit of enjoyable, recharge the batteries, but then also keep your sport ticking over and make sure that you are doing the suitable [things] and that you are sharp going into Bethpage.”

McIlroy also discussed the significance of the practice trip and feels that maintaining an almost identical squad will benefit their preparations. The sole roster adjustment is minor, with Rasmus Hojgaard stepping in for his brother Nicolai.

McIlroy continued: “The apply journey shall be important for a lot of different causes for us as a crew, but I also assume the remaining of that week goes to be important, where we all do what we need to do. We’re all particular person sports activities people, we all have our different routines, so whatever we need to do to be 100 per cent prepared, that’s what we’ll do.

“I think it’s amazing, it’s pretty much the same team of 12 as well. Obviously, you sub in Rasmus [Hojgaard] for Nicolai [Hojgaard] this time, but it is.

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“Since Rome two years in the past, a lot has occurred in phrases of golf and people taking part in elsewhere. So I feel just to get us all together again and to construct up that.

“The majority of us see each other a lot, but then there’s a few people we don’t see as much. So I think just getting us all back together and sort of building that up again is going to be really, really important.

“I feel it’s going to be simple once we all get together. It’s like nothing’s ever actually modified, so I’m excited for it.”