What do Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy think about LIV golfers playing in the 2023 Ryder Cup?
Some PGA golfers have differing opinions on whether those who have signed up with the LIV Golf Series should be allowed to compete in the Ryder Cup.
Golfers who have not jumped ship to sign up with the LIV Golf Series are divided on the issue of whether players with the Saudi-backed tour should be allowed to play in the Ryder Cup.
Former world number one player Jon Rahm, who delivered impressive performances for the European team in the last two Ryder Cups, believes that LIV players should be allowed to play in the competition.
Jon Rahm: ‘I wish they could play’
Speaking to The Telegraph, Rahm said that the best players of the United States and Europe should be showcased in the Ryder Cup, regardless of which tour they belong to.
“The Ryder Cup is not the PGA Tour and European Tour against LIV- it’s Europe versus the US, period,” according to Rahm.
“The best of each against the other, and for me the Ryder Cup is above all. I wish they could play but it doesn’t look good.”
McIlroy’s inflexible stance
However, fellow PGA and European Tour player Rory McIlroy’s sentiments run contrary to those of Rahm. One of the most outspoken critics of the LIV Golf Series, he has made it resoundingly clear that he doesn’t welcome the participation of the breakaway golfers in the prestigious biennial team event.
“I have said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times: I don’t think any of those guys should be on the Ryder Cup team,” McIlroy said when he played in the Italian Open held last month.
Even if US LIV golfers were listed on the official Ryder Cup points list, only American players who are PGA members would be able to earn points, effectively making them unable to garner enough to be able to qualify for the team.
The 2023 Ryder Cup is scheduled for Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy.