World No.1 McIlroy calls for Ryder Cup postponement

May 28th, 2020 / Chris Williams

As the clock ticks ever closer to September, World No.1 Rory McIlroy believes the Ryder Cup should be pushed back to 2021.

The issue isn’t about the Ryder Cup itself but rather the lack of fans, who help generate the electric atmosphere on which the European and US teams thrive.

“Rory Rory McIlroy plays with the crowd at the 2016 Ryder Cup (Credit: PGA Tour)

“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,” told BBC Sport.

“My personal hunch is that I don’t see how it is going to happen.”

“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…I think that will be the right call.”

US fans will no doubt question McIlroy’s reasoning with the biennial event due to be played at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin this year. However, with Europe claiming seven of the last nine Ryder Cups, the Europeans don’t have any reason to duck for cover.

The debate about the Cup’s staging will most likely hinge on the lessons learnt from the restart of the PGA Tour on June 11th and perhaps more importantly, if the US can get the COVID-19 pandemic under control.