McIlroy calls for Ryder Cup changes following defeat

Post-mortems were always a certainty following Europe’s recent Ryder Cup defeat.

And one of Europe’s big guns, former world No 1 Rory McIlroy has already found one area that needs improving if Europe is to win back the Cup in a couple of years’ time.

Rory McIlroy (Credit: Anthony Powter)

McIlroy says the European Tour should scrap the controversial rule that bars non-members of that tour from competing in the Ryder Cup.

In other words, Europe needs all hands on deck if they wish to get over the top of the US.

McIlroy even singled out England’s Paul Casey as one player who should have been there but was ineligible for selection after choosing to ply his trade on the US PGA Tour.

The Northern Irishman says changes should be implemented before the next Cup in Paris in 2018.

“It should be the best 12 players from Europe versus the best 12 players from the US,” said McIlroy.

“For me, there shouldn’t be anything to do with membership of tours.”

“To have a guy like Paul Casey not on our team when he is playing some of the best golf in the world right now, it definitely hurt us.”

Casey now bases himself out of Scottsdale, Arizona and opted not to retain membership of the European Tour where he would have to compete in a minimum of five tournaments outside the four majors and four World Golf Championship events.

McIlroy’s complaints have not fallen on deaf ears: European Tour CEO Keith Pelley has already hinted there could be changes to the eligibility rules for future European Ryder Cup teams in the aftermath of Europe’s six point Ryder Cup defeat at Hazeltine.

“We are having discussions regarding the qualification system now and we will continue to have them,” he said.

“We will adjust the Ryder Cup qualification if we feel that we need to. We won’t be afraid to make the changes.”