Rory McIlroy claim by Ryder Cup teammate denied: "Has he been drinking?"

The founder and chief executive of WHOOP has denied a claim about Rory McIlroy allegedly made by one of his former Ryder Cup teammates. 

In October, extracts of Alan Shipnuck's book, LIV and Let Die, were being released. 

The book details the ongoing battle between the PGA Tour and their Saudi-backed LIV Golf rivals. 

One quotation of note was reportedly made by one of McIlroy's former Ryder Cup teammates. 

We don't know who the player was, but they didn't hold back on the four-times major champion. 

Related:

• Rory McIlroy one of six nominees for BBC Sports Personality of the Year
• Rory McIlroy sparks fresh controversy with LIV Golf 'rebels' after Ryder Cup dig
• Rory McIlroy's message to greedy golfers? "They need to get their heads checked"

In an expletive-laden rant, the anonymous player said McIlroy, 34, was 'bought and paid for like everyone else'. 

"It's just that his money is coming from the other side," he added. 

He was referring to the fact McIlroy led the charge against LIV as the de facto spokesperson for the Tour. 

The golfer also claimed that when WHOOP wanted to do a deal with the PGA Tour, the North American circuit 'insisted' McIlroy be one of the endorsers and given a $10m equity stake in the company. 

Will Ahmed, who runs WHOOP, took to X on 12 December to dispute the claim. 

"There is no truth to this story," he wrote. 

"I would know as I run whoop. Furthermore Rory and his team are all class - one of the best not just in golf but all of sports. Inaccurate reporting."

Shipnuck also responded in the thread, writing: "I asked McIlroy's manager Sean O'Flaherty to fact-check that passage and the only comment he would give me is, 'Has the Ryder Cup teammate been drinking?' It's in the book."

There is no truth to this story. I would know as I run whoop. Furthermore Rory and his team are all class - one of the best not just in golf but all of sports.



Inaccurate reporting. @NUCLRGOLF @AlanShipnuck https://t.co/m83MxESZtN

— Will Ahmed (@willahmed) December 12, 2023

What the player said, in full:

Read more:

• 10 reasons Jon Rahm was always going to LIV Golf
• Jon Rahm talks Ryder Cup "risk" and what Seve would say after joining LIV Golf
• PGA Tour stars on Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's TGL? "It was in a rushed state"