RORY’S SOB STORY
McIlroy’s tearful reaction was about the end for a few Ryder Cup legends and the idea of it one day ending for himself
NEIL SQUIRES
RORY McILROY has lifted the lid on his tearful reaction to Europe’s walloping in Wisconsin, claiming that his Ryder Cup days are numbered.
The 32-year-old endured a bitterly disappointing contest on the shores of Lake Michigan, not winning his first point until the Sunday singles, and broke down during interviews afterwards.
McIlroy’s raw response was partly because he felt he had let Europe down but also due to a realisation that Ryder Cup careers do not go on forever.
“The end is not near but, after playing in six like I have, you start thinking about it a little bit more,” said McIlroy.
“The other thing is that this year was meaningful for our team because we knew it was probably the end for some of our older players who have been so great at Ryder Cups.”
McIlroy (above) would have been referring to Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, the only other Europeans who won their singles matches on that heartbreaking Sunday.
The four-time Major winner was initially scheduled to play at No.11 in the singles as he was so out of form but his European teammates insisted he should lead them out first.
Shane Lowry, who followed him out at No.2, told him: ‘You’re Rory McIlroy. You’re already one of the best players of all time. Go and show it.’ And on that final Sunday at Whistling Straits, McIlroy did just that, posting a rare flash of blue on a scoreboard soaked red. McIlroy, who won the last of his four Majors in 2014, has been criticised for his failure to kick on – a blank interpreted by some as a lack of desire. But the vulnerability he showed on Sunday put the lie to that, at least when it comes to the Ryder Cup. “I don’t think anybody believes I don’t care,” he said. Tony Finau, who teamed up with Harris English to inflict a 4&3 defeat on McIlroy and Lowry (left) in the first-day fourballs, has pulled out of Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, citing an unspecified health issue.
“It is an awesome event, one that I regret missing and one that I look forward to returning to in the future,” said Finau. Three of Europe’s beaten team – Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton – will be in action at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, along with skipper Padraig Harrington.