Ryder Cup without LIV golfers? This is what Rory McIlroy told his wife Erica
Rory McIlroy has revealed details of a conversation he shared with his wife Erica Stoll about the forthcoming Ryder Cup in Italy.
Rory McIlroy says it's time 'to form new bonds' as he prepares to play in his seventh Ryder Cup without familiar faces Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia.
McIlroy, who is playing the Irish Open, opened up to Golf Digest about the forthcoming contest.
The Northern Irishman has won four of the six Ryder Cups he has competed in, including that victory at Medinah all those years ago.
Since his debut in 2010, he has competed in every edition of the biennial contest.
Related: European Ryder Cup Team 2023: Player Guide, Past Form, Stats and Top Scorer Odds
Over time, he has evolved into one of the leaders in the team room.
But he has always leaned on Poulter, Westwood, Garcia et al to come up trumps for Europe when needed. That will change in Rome.
"I was speaking to [wife] Erica the other night, and it's going to be weird for me not to have those guys in the team room because this is my seventh Ryder Cup and they've always been there," McIlroy told GD after his second round at The K Club.
He added:
McIlroy has now repaired his friendship with Garcia.
At the height of the LIV Golf-PGA Tour feud, the pair exchanged fiery text messages in which Garcia told the Ulsterman to 'shut up' about the breakaway tour.
"I sent him back a few daggers of my own," McIlroy previously said.
The pair crossed paths at the 2023 U.S. Open where McIlroy indicated he would call Garcia to bury the hatchet.
Their interaction was only a matter of days after the PGA Tour-PIF announcement.
McIlroy made it clear in his most recent comments the truce between the organisations ultimately neutralises the 'threat of LIV'.
Speaking about the two Ryder Cup icons, McIlroy continued:
McIlroy was asked if Europe still have the 'magic'. He continued:
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