STRAFFAN, Ireland – Rory McIlroy, after observing how Novak Djokovic handled the noisy spectators during a US Open victory, is preparing to follow the tennis star’s example at the upcoming Ryder Cup, which will be held in the United States this month. A hostile and biased environment awaits McIlroy and the European team at Bethpage Black for the clashes from September 26 to 28, as the Americans seek to regain the cup, two years after losing in Rome. Djokovic faced a similar situation during his US Open quarterfinal match against local favorite Taylor Fritz, and handled it with skill, even sending kisses to the fans who booed him. McIlroy was impressed with Djokovic’s performance, who had already given a motivational talk to the European golfers in their room before the 2023 Ryder Cup victory, addressing how to deal with high-pressure moments.
“He came and talked to us a little bit about that last time in Rome. So maybe take a leaf out of his book and channel that energy in the right way. But then again, the only thing we can do is control our reaction and our emotions to it. I think the less we get involved, the better it will be for us.” The experience of Rome could be useful in Bethpage for the European team, which was defined on Monday with only one change from two years ago, with Rasmus Hojgaard automatically qualifying as the only rookie in the 12-player squad. McIlroy used Robert MacIntrye, a rookie in Rome and now a regular contender in PGA Tour events, as an example to support his belief that “almost all the players on the team are more complete than they were two years ago” and believes Europe has a “wonderful opportunity” to win a Ryder Cup away from home for the first time since 2012. “They have a very strong team,” McIlroy said of the Americans. “They’re going to have a pretty rowdy crowd on their side and on a golf course that many of them know quite well from previous tournaments there. So make no mistake, we know we’re facing a difficult task, but I love the team Luke has put together.”“He’s the best at handling that situation,” McIlroy commented on Wednesday at the Irish Open. “He’s had to deal with this his whole life, whether it’s playing against an American in New York or against Roger Federer or Rafa Nadal.
McIlroy
