RORY’S AT ROME THE GATES OF
Ryder Cup on McIlroy’s mind as he lines up in the Italian Open
IT COMES as a surprise that after some 16 years and 227 DP World Tour events, Rory McIlroy will this week make his debut in the DS Automobiles Italian Open in the outskirts of Rome.
The current world No.2 McIlroy is the standout star taking his place on the Marco Simone course, which will play host to the 44th Ryder Cup in just over a year’s time.
Marco Simone is located some 25 kilometres to the north-east of the Colosseum, which is already being used in promotional shots for the Ryder Cup and will feature in the ‘One Year To Go’ launch in the first week of October.
McIlroy may not have contested an Italian Open but he knows how to win in the country, having captured the 2006 European Amateur Championship at Biella to the north of Turin.
“I’m excited to make my professional debut in Italy,” he said. “The only other time I played in Italy was the European Amateur
Championship in 2006, which I won, so I’ve got 100 per cent record in this country and I’d like to keep that going.
“But it’s great to be here, to see the golf course here at Marco Simone, especially for the Ryder Cup next year.
Cool
“Obviously get some early preparation and get a look at what the course is like but also trying to win a prestigious championship that’s been running for nearly 30 years and a national open title, which is pretty cool, and some great names on the Italian Open trophy, too.
“So, excited to be here and I’m glad that I could sort of work it into the schedule this year and excited to get going tomorrow.”
McIlroy’s appearance will not only delight his Italian fans but also European Captain Luke Donald (inset).
McIlroy admitted he was always committed to the event before Henrik Stenson was controversially stripped of the European captaincy.
“It was always a part of my schedule for this year and I wanted to play at least one tournament here before the Ryder Cup next year,” said McIlroy.
“The Italian Open is being played in May next year so I knew that that wasn’t going to fit into my schedule because of how busy it is in the United States at that time.
“So, this was a good opportunity. I was already in Europe playing at Wentworth, and it was a good opportunity to see the course.
“But I’ve had discussions with Luke and you know, we are actually a few of us are meeting for dinner tonight for a little bit of team bonding but also have a talk about the course and how we think it should be set up to favour the European Team.”
Then there’s always the historical aspect of visiting Rome, with McIlroy hoping many of the European-born golfing young guns will be among his teammates.
“Who doesn’t want to come and spend a week in Rome? You know, just walking the around the city last night and the history and the culture, it’s an amazing place,” he said.
“Italy isn’t the biggest golfing nation in the world but I think having a Ryder Cup here can certainly grow that.
“And if that can inspire the younger generation of Italians to pick up a club and play and Italy has produced a lot of wonderful players.
Inspires
“But if it inspires the next generation, that would be wonderful.”
Others who could easily be in Donald’s side and will also tee up this week include reigning US Open champ Matt Fitzpatrick along with Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton and Rasmus Hojgaard.
Organisers have grouped McIlroy with two likely Marco Simone teammates in local golfing superstar Francesco Molinari and Nicolai Hojgaard.
‘I’ve a 100 per cent record in this country’