Rory McIlroy urges Ryder Cup eligibility rules to be re-written following Rahm’s LIV move
Now that Jon Rahm has officially joined LIV Golf, questions are beginning to arise surrounding the Spaniard in terms of Ryder Cup eligibility.
In Rome, any player who joined LIV Golf was not allowed to be a part of the European team. Henrik Stenson was stripped of his captaincy. European legends such as Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood were not allowed near the team as players or assistant captains.
At the time, Rory McIlroy was in favor of the ban, and spoke harshly about the players not allowed to be a part of the Ryder Cup.
“They are going to miss being here (Rome) more than we’re missing them,” McIlroy said back in September.
However, now that the player in question is Jon Rahm, Rory is changing his tune.
While speaking to Sky Sports News, McIlroy said,
“Jon is going to be in Bethpage in 2025. Because of this decision, the European tour is going to have to rewrite the rules for Ryder Cup eligibility. There’s absolutely no question about that – I certainly want Jon Rahm on the next Ryder Cup team.”
“I’m going to miss competing against him week in, week out. He has got so much talent, he’s so tenacious and he’s a great team-mate in the Ryder Cup.
“The thing that I’ve realized is that you can’t judge someone for making a decision that they feel is the best thing for them.”
Rory McIlroy’s thoughts on Jon Rahm signing up to LIV pic.twitter.com/RsfkbFs7Mp
— Jamie Weir (@jamiecweir) December 8, 2023
The Northern Irishman was active this morning on X, responding to comment that questioned why he’d changed his mind since Rome.
Which is very true… we didn’t NEED any of the others in Rome and we didn’t miss them. We’d certainly miss and need Jon at Bethpage.
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) December 8, 2023
Rory and Sergio Garcia had a falling out due to Garcia’s decision to join LIV back in 2022. It seems as if he’s taking a different approach with the latest Spaniard who’s left the PGA Tour.
Article originally appeared on: Golfwrx.com
When someone throws a gazillion $ at you, there’s only one way you can go!! And his country of record is going to enjoy the tax windfall also.
They absolutely do not have to rewrite the rules. Rahm knew the rules and chose to go in a different direction. I don’t fault him for his decision. Like everyone else that went that route, enjoy the money and watch the Ryder Cup on TV
RORY……YOU’RE assuming an awful lot. First of all, the Rules if they are going to be rewritten won’t be done by YOU or the PGA Tour so you can accommodate your traitor buddy. The RYDER CUP is owned by the PGA of America and it’s 29,000 Members. I believe that if we took a VOTE you’d lose that deal. The Game is about GOLF, the History, Tradtion, Values and the hard work that went into making the PGA of America and later the Tour. Seve would probably be kicking Jon Rahm in the ass right now because Seve believed in the Game of Golf and everything about it. I thought that you were a TRUE friend of the Game and it’s tremendous values, but I’m not so sure any longer after your comments. Money is the ROOT of ALL EVIL and Greg Norman is NOT in it to promote the GROWTH of the GAME….that’s “BS”! Norman’s in it for Norman…PERIOD. IT’S SAD that you guys don’t see it and are being led like sheep. If you guys keep going for the 30 pieces of Silver you will end up DESTROYING what took years to build so that you could have the opportunity that so many before you DIDN’T have, Hagen, Jones, Hogan, Snead, Nelson, Palmer and, yes, Seve would NOT approve of what’s going on today! I’ve been a PGA Member for over 52 years and if ANYBODY should benefit monetarily from the Ryder Cup it’s the Members of the PGA of America. The guys/gals that spend 60-80 hours a week at the Club jobs promoting the Game and it’s GROWTH so that the fan can watch you on TV. Want to talk about prospective! i NEVER thought that you would be a wuss!