McIlroy expects Ryder Cup delay
WORLD golf number one Rory McIlroy does not think the Ryder Cup will be played this year. The biennial men’s golf competition is currently scheduled to be played between September 25th to the 27th at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, where Europe will be looking to retain the trophy they won in 2018.
But with a host of major 2020 sporting events have already been cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis, McIlroy thinks the Ryder Cup could suffer the same fate.
“My personal hunch is that I don’t see how it is going to happen, so I do not think that it will happen,” McIlroy said.
“I think the majority of players would like to see it pushed back until 2021 so that they can play in front of crowds and have the atmosphere that makes the Ryder Cup so special.
“The players are the ones that make the Ryder Cup. If they are not on board with it and don’t want to play then there is no Ryder Cup.
“I see it being pushed back until 2021 and, honestly, I think that will be the right call.”
McIlroy played alongside Americans Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff in a charity skins game in Florida earlier this month, which was played with no spectators in attendance.
Competitive golf across the world has been suspended since March 12 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but the PGA Tour is set to resume on June 11 at the Charles Schwab Colonial event in Texas.
McIlroy, who is set to play in all of the first three PGA Tour tournaments, which will all be played behind closed doors, revealed he would have no concerns about travelling to Europe later in the year.
“It’s a tough one. There are a lot of things up in the air, but if there are some big events in autumn time, then I can,” McIlroy said. “Maybe if Wentworth gets moved to October, which they are thinking of, then I could see myself going over and playing that event.
“I was just as disappointed as everyone else that the Open got cancelled this year. I think it would have been a good date in September if we were able to play it.
“I wouldn’t have concerns about travelling to Europe. I think if you stick to the guidelines then I don’t see any reason why we should feel scared to travel.”
McIlroy’s native Irish Open was due to take place this week at Mount Juliet Estate, with a possible rescheduled date in autumn now being considered.
McIlroy, who did not play in last year’s event at Lahinch, said he is unsure if he will take part in this year’s tournament if it goes ahead.
“I don’t know, I really don’t know,” he added. “I haven’t looked past the PGA Tour playoffs [scheduled for September]. All I have pinpointed for the back end of the year at the minute are the majors, everything else is really up in the air.
“I would like to see the Irish Open played but I imagine if it was then it would be behind closed doors, meaning the public would not get to see the big names compete up close and in person.”
McIlroy also revealed that his caddie Harry Diamond is set to spend two weeks in quarantine ahead of golf’s return in the States.
He added: “We will be able to get Harry on the bag. The only tough thing is he has to come over and quarantine here for two weeks and then it looks like he will have to quarantine for two weeks on the other side as well.
“So for a three-tournament stretch it is actually seven weeks for him, but hopefully some of those rules could be lifted between now and then.”