McIlroy not interested in playing the Ryder Cup without fans

Rory McIlroy would rather postpone the Ryder Cup until 2021 than play it this year without fans.

Thecoronaviruspandemic has impacted sport across the globe and has had serious implications in golf.

The first two major championshipsoftheyear-theMastersandtheUSPGA-havebeen postponed,althoughtheRyder Cup is still scheduled for September.

However, in an Instagram Live with TaylorMade Golf, McIlroy said: "I have a pretty strong view on this.

"I get the financial implications for everyone involved... there's a lot that goes into putting on the Ryder Cup that people don't probably know or appreciate-buthavingaRyder Cup without fans is not a Ryder Cup. For me I would much rather they delay it until 2021 thanplayitatWhistlingStraits without fans. And that's from a European going to America, knowing that I'm going to get abuse!"

Thefour-timemajorchampion has previously said he felt more pressure playing in the Ryder Cup rather than in majors.

And he continued: "Obviously it would be better for Europeans to play without fans because we wouldn't have to deal with some of the stuff that you have to put up with - but at the same time it's not a Ryder Cup.

"It wouldn't be a great spectacle, there'd be no atmosphere, so if it came to whether theyhadtochoosebetweennot playing the Ryder Cup or playing it without fans, I would say just delay it for a year and play it in 2021.

"If they do delay it until 2021, the next Ryder Cup is supposed to be in Italy, and we know how badly affected Italy was by coronavirus, so it gives that country an extra year to prepare for the Ryder Cup in 2023 instead of 2022.

"This is only one opinion but if we have to play the Ryder Cup behind closed doors this year, I'd rather just delay it."

*Former Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn has been appointed to the European Tour board as a non-executive director.

The 49-year-old, currently playing his 25th season on on the European Tour, was nominated to the position by the tour's Tournament Committee.

Bjornhas15EuropeanTour titles to his name and led EuropetovictoryintheRyderCup at Le Golf National in 2018.

"I am delighted and honoured to be invited to join the Board of the European Tour," Bjorn said.