Rory McIlroy stands firm: No fans, no Ryder Cup

Rory McIlroy celebrates holing a putt in front of huge galleries on the fifth green during the Fourballs match on day two of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Paris. Picture: David Davies/PA Wire.

Put it back a year if needs be, says world No 1

World No 1 Rory McIlroy is not softening his stance that the Ryder Cup should not be played this year if the only option is for it to take place behind closed doors.

Hot on the heels of expressing his strong opinion on the subject in a McKellar Golf Podcast, the Northern Irishman has again insisted he does not think the match, scheduled for Whistling Straits in Wisconsin in September, should be played without spectators due to the coronavirus crisis.

McIlroy said: “My personal hunch is that I don’t see how it is going to happen, so I do not think that it will happen

“I think the majority of players would like to see it pushed back until 2021 so that they can play in front of crowds and have the atmosphere that makes the Ryder Cup so special.

Speaking on BBC Sport Northern Irelan, McIlroy added: “The players are the ones that make the Ryder Cup. If they are not on board with it and don’t want to play then there is no Ryder Cup. I see it being pushed back until 2021 and, honestly, I think that will be the right call.”

European captain Padraig Harrington has said that players might be required to “take one for the team” by playing the match without any fans.

However, McIlroy has been joined by a number of other top players, including Brooks Koepka, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Francesco Molinari and Jon Rahm, in saying they would rather see the event pushed back 12 months than played without fans.

Koepka said: “I personally don’t want to play if there’s no fans. I don’t see a point in playing it.

“I get representing your country is an honour and it’s something that’s so much fun, but, at the same time, the fans make that event,” added the world No 3.

In his latest interview, McIlroy also said he would have no issues returning to the European Tour later in the year, with a revamped schedule being finalised by chief executive Keith Pelley and his team.

“It’s a tough one. There are a lot of things up in the air but, if there are some big events in autumn time, then I can,” added McIlroy, who played in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last October with his dad, Gerry.

“Maybe if Wentworth (the BMW PGA Championship) gets moved to October, which they are thinking of, then I could see myself going over and playing that event.

“I was just as disappointed as everyone else that The Open got cancelled this year. I think it would have been a good date in September if we were able to play it.

“I wouldn’t have concerns about travelling to Europe. I think if you stick to the guidelines then I don’t see any reason why we should feel scared to travel.”

McIlroy is due to play in the first three events on the PGA Tour when the US circuit returns in a fortnight’s time.

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