Rory McIlroy was openly pleased that the 2023 European Ryder Cup team did not include any golfers from LIV, but his stance has suddenly changed.
Jon Rahm stunned the golf world on Thursday when he announced that he has signed with LIV. The Spaniard took a mammoth guaranteed contract after previously saying he had no interest in LIV.
Rahm, the No. 3-ranked golfer in the world, is already one of the best European golfers of all time. He played a huge role in Team Europe’s domination of Team USA this year and has a 6-3-3 overall record in three Ryder Cup appearances.
McIlroy told Sky Sports on Thursday that there is no way Rahm can be left off the European team at Bethpage Black in 2025.
“Jon is going to be (at Bethpage Black) in 2025,” McIlroy said. “Because of this decision, the European Tour are gonna have to rewrite the rules for Ryder Cup eligibility, absolutely. There’s no question about that. I certainly want Jon Rahm on the next Ryder Cup team.”
🗣️ "The European Tour are going to have to rewrite the rules"
Rory McIlroy is hoping the Ryder Cup eligibility rules surrounding LIV Golf players will be looked at so Jon Rahm can face USA in 2025 🇪🇺🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/vBc6IpUutR
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) December 8, 2023
That is a huge shift for McIlroy. There were no LIV golfers on this year’s European Ryder Cup team. Some top European golfers like Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter were left off the Ryder Cup roster because of their affiliation with LIV. McIlroy said he agreed with that decision and felt it was a big factor in Europe’s 16.5 to 11.5 victory.
Now that Rahm has joined the league McIlroy has long been critical of, McIlroy is willing to compete alongside at least one LIV golfer.
