Rory McIlroy ‘doesn’t understand’ European players complaining over world rankings

World No 1 says spell in quarantine isn’t a ‘hardship’

Rory McIlroy chats to PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank at Harbour Town GC. Picture: Streeter Lecka/Getty

Rory McIlroy “doesn’t understand” some of his fellow Europeans complaining about missing out on world ranking points by sitting at home as the PGA Tour moves into week two of its restart.

Speaking as he prepared to tee up in the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head for the first time since 2009, the world No 1 didn’t hold back when asked about the global rankings being up and running again despite the US circuit being the only one to have restarted play.

World No 10 Tommy Fleetwood has been among the players to criticise that move, having decided against travelling to America at the moment due to a two-week quarantine being in place then the same again back in the UK.

“Look, personally, if I were in their shoes and I was asked to come over to the States and shelter or quarantine for two weeks before these tournaments, I would have done that,” said McIlroy, who lives in Florida.

“I mean, if you really care about your career and care about moving forward, you should be here, I think. Last week was 70 world ranking points for the winner, this week 74.

“I get there’s different variables and families and stuff involved, but we all have the means to rent a very nice house in a gated community in Florida and, you know, it’s not a hardship for two weeks to come over and quarantine. I mean, it’s fine. My caddie Harry [Diamond] came over and did it. He stayed in our guest house. The two weeks flew by.

“I honestly don’t understand the guys complaining because there is a solution to it. You can come over here and do what needs to be done.”

Asked if he appreciated the dilemma faced by the likes of Fleetwood, who has a two-year-old son, the four-time major winner added: “I do appreciate that, but, again, you can bring your family with you. We all have the means to do that.

“Look, it might seem a little harsh, but I don’t get that mindset, especially if you care about your career and you want to advance.”

A number of English players, including Matt Fitzpatrick and Matt Wallace, decided the quarantine was worth it to get back playing again, but Fleetwood and Lee Westwood are among those who didn’t agree.

“I’m not going to travel to America and stay away for four months,” Fleetwood said in recent interview. “That is simply not a consideration. It is wrong and unfair that the ranking points are starting when players are playing on one continent.

“The title is ‘Official World Golf Rankings’ and Europe is not playing and the Asian Tour and Sunshine Tour are not playing.

“Each nation has dealt with coronavirus differently and it just happens that America is the one where they have managed to get up and running.

“When I bring up my opinion, people think, ‘Oh, he’s not playing so he would say that’ but I could have played. If I drop from 10 to 15 it affects me very little.

“But, if you end the year outside the top 50 and miss out on the Masters because you didn’t have a choice, then that’s harsh.”

For the second week running, McIlroy heads a star-studded line up that also includes second-ranked Jon Rahm, new world No 3 Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka. Russell Knox is once again the sole Scot in the field.

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