Fresh off his return to the top of the world rankings after his CJ Cup victory on Sunday, Rory McIlroy is back at his second favourite hobby; the critiquing of LIV Golf and its players.
After many a Ryder Cup spent alongside the likes of Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, and Ian Poulter - the latter of which he partnered for one of the great Ryder Cup matches in 2012 - McIlroy has spoken of the 'betrayal' he feels, after those defecting to the LIV Golf Tour have placed their Ryder Cup hopes in jeopardy.
"I think it is the first time in my life that I have felt betrayal, in a way," said McIlroy.
You build bonds with these people through Ryder Cups and other things. Them knowing that what they are about to do is going to jeopardise them from being a part of that ever again?
"I would like to think the Ryder Cup means as much to them as it does to me. Maybe it does. But knowing what the consequences could be, I just could never make that decision.
Rory McIlroy On Ryder Cup Betrayal
25 September 2021; Ian Poulter, left, and Rory McIlroy of Team Europe during their Saturday afternoon fourballs match against Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa of Team USA at the Ryder Cup 2021 Matches at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, USA. Photo by Tom Russo/Sportsfile
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With the Ryder Cup less than a year away, and the rankings already begun, it remains unclear but also unlikely that players such as Westwood, Poulter, and Garcia will be able to qualify or receive a captain's pick.
However, given their dwindling form at recent Ryder Cups, the likelihood of Poulter or Westwood making the team has been lessening after each edition of golf's most celebrated team event.
"I feel like the place where they have been able to build their legacy and build their brand, they have just left behind...," McIlroy continued.
"If people felt so aggrieved about some things, I'd rather be trying to make those changes from inside the walls than trying to go outside and be disruptive."
