Ahead of tomorrow's Italian Open at the Marco Simone Club - next year's Ryder Cup venue - Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick gave contrasting answers to the inevitable LIV Golf questions that were slung their way.
In terms or participation in the 2023 Ryder Cup, it is unclear whether players from the rogue LIV Golf Tour will be allowed to compete.
McIlroy continued his staunch anti-LIV Golf stance when broached on the subject: “I have said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times: I don’t think any of those guys should be on the Ryder Cup team.
"The European team has a core of six or seven guys that I think we all know are pretty much going to be on that team, and then it’s up to some of the younger guys to maybe step up.
"I think we were in need of a rebuild anyway. We did well with the same guys for a very long time but everything comes to an end at some point. I think Whistling Straits is a good sort of demarcation.”
McIlroy And Fitzpatrick With Differing LIV Golf Stances
27 September 2016; Rory McIlroy, centre, Martin Kaymer, left, and Matthew Fitzpatrick of Europe during the team photocalls at The 2016 Ryder Cup Matches at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, USA. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
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US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick was more diplomatic in his approach to the question and admitted that he did not care whether LIV Golf players were included.
“I just want to win the Ryder Cup. ... I want the 11 best guys we can get. I’m not really too bothered about where they are going to come from.”
McIlroy will tee-off tomorrow at 8.30, with Francesco Molinari and Nicolai Hojgaard, while Fitzpatrick is out at 13.30.
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