“LIV deserters will miss us more than we will miss them”

LIV Golf defections have alienated European fans from Ryder Cup, some of them for the first time in three decades. the northern irish Rory McIlroyfar from opening the page, fueled the fire even more by saying this Wednesday in a press conference on Marco Simone CC of Rome that the players who went to LIV “miss the Ryder Cup more than the European team misses them.”

Not this Lee Westwoodwhich has been a part of every Ryder Cup since its debut in 1997. Sergio Garciawho began his steady Ryder career in 1999, and made one last desperate attempt to reconcile with the European circuit and get to Rome. Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell. They all moved to LIV Golf, a company funded by Saudi Arabia, and could not participate in the Ryder Cup. That includes Henrik Stensonwas named European captain for this team until he chose to sign with LIV last summer.

“It’s definitely a little weird not having them around,” McIlroy said. “But I think this week, of all weeks, it’s going to affect them not being here. I think they will miss being here more than we miss them.” McIlroy held back for a moment, aware that his comments would be interpreted as another dig at defectors, especially given the combative tone he has adopted against LIV Golf since the rival super league was launched in June last year.

“I’m not saying it’s like… it’s more that I think this week is an awareness that the decision they made has led them to not be part of this event. And that’s hard.” It remains to be seen if they will be invited again. The European tour and the PGA Tour partnered with Saudi Arabia’s national wealth fund to pay for LIV Golf. The proposed business entity still needs to be finalized and approved. Among the discussions was how to integrate LIV players into their circuits.

“The golf landscape is becoming more dynamic and changing, and we’ll see what happens and if they become a part of it in the future,” McIlroy said. “I always thought before this week was when I realized they weren’t going to be here,” he added.

The Americans have already gone through the impact of LIV, having played in last year’s Presidents Cup without one Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeaunothing Patrick Reed may or may not be classified Phil Mickelson available as vice-captain. Brooks Koepka He returned to the Ryder Cup, albeit only with a rare performance in the majors, his only access to Ryder Cup points. He was runner-up at the Masters and won the PGA Championship.

Now it’s time for Europe. The European team had eight players at Whistling Straits, at the last Ryder Cup, who have since moved to LIV Golf. Westwood, Garcia, Poulter, Paul Casey and Bernd Wiesberger They played two years ago in Wisconsin. McDowell, Stenson and Martin Kaymer They became vice-captains. How many will return to the competition is debatable because four of them are over 40 years old and at the end of their (competitive) career.

Luke Donald, a close friend of Garcia’s since their successful Ryder Cup pairing, struggled to keep the focus on his 12 players, rather than who was out in Marco Simone. Jon Rahm has spoken openly about his desire for Garcia to be part of the team, so that the Ryder Cup can focus more on golf and less on politics. He keeps in touch with his countrymen and friends. He spoke with Borriol on Monday and Poulter then.