Rory McIlroy Aims to Captain the European Ryder Cup Team
Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy has expressed his desire to be captain of the European Ryder Cup team in the future, although he does not plan to take on the role until the mid-2030s. McIlroy, who is currently ranked second in the world and is the Masters champion, is in India to play his first tournament of the week. His participation comes after contributing to Europe’s victory in the Ryder Cup, where they defeated the United States. The 36-year-old golfer has participated in the last eight editions of the Ryder Cup and hopes to remain part of the team in future competitions, including the one to be held in Ireland in 2027.McIlroy mentioned Paul McGinley, winning captain in 2014, and Luke Donald, who led Europe in the last two encounters. “But,” he added, “I would say not until the mid-2030s, hopefully, if I can keep playing well.” During the Ryder Cup, McIlroy was criticized by American spectators, to which he responded in a tense atmosphere. He considers it a pity, especially since Europe became the first team to win a Ryder Cup as visitors since 2012. “In the last two weeks, watching the highlights and, especially, those first two days, in the foursomes and four-balls, I could appreciate how good the European team was,” McIlroy commented. “The Americans were hitting it close; we were hitting it closer. The Americans were holing a putt, and we were holing a putt on top of it and that was happening every time.” “The unfortunate thing is that people are not remembering that and are remembering the week for the wrong reason. I would like to change the narrative and focus on how good the European team was and how proud I was to be part of that team to win a Ryder Cup as a visitor.” McIlroy has expressed his desire to play in India for some time, seeking to make his schedule “more international.” In November, he will participate in Abu Dhabi and in the European Tour’s season-ending tournament in Dubai, followed by the Australian Open in December. “I think in the last few years, I’ve enjoyed it even more. I’ve enjoyed the trips,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed playing in front of people I’d never played before.” As a confessed cricket fan, McIlroy regretted not being able to attend a cricket match during his trip to India. “I would love to come back and do it,” he concluded.“Absolutely, I would love to be captain someday, and I feel very fortunate to have had a front-row seat playing under some of the best captains in history in the Ryder Cup,” McIlroy stated.
Rory McIlroy
