Rory McIlroy. Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports

Ryder Cup: Did Rory McIlroy dis Sergio Garcia?

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 5/31/23

Rory McIlroy said not that long ago that he was going to step away from the political side of golf to focus more on his game. But that didn't stop him from giving his two cents about whether LIV Golf pros should be allowed to participate in the Ryder Cup.

And while the Irishman appears to have evolved his opinion somewhat, he still has very strong opinions on which players should -- or should I say shouldn't -- compete for Team Europe.

"I certainly think Brooks [Koepka] deserves to be on the United States team," McIlroy said, acknowledging the PGA Championship winner's season. "But I have different feelings about the European team and the other side and how that has all transpired... I don't think any of those guys should be part of the European team."

❌ #WATCH Rory McIlroy says NO to LIV players playing for the European team at The Ryder Cup. @TrackingRory
pic.twitter.com/DGszMCUjvx
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) May 31, 2023

McIlroy doesn't name any player on the European side specifically -- but it's not hard to guess who he's referring to.

The big match-play event between the United States and Europe has been a hot topic this week -- even though it doesn't take place until September -- after Team Europe captain Luke Donald made it very clear that Ryder Cup specialist Sergio Garcia will not be making the team.

The Spaniard isn't the only golfer to have left the DP World Tour for LIV Golf in a less-than-savory way, but he has certainly made the most noise about it.

So while some members of the European side may be disappointed that a player with Garcia's Ryder Cup resume won't be participating, it appears that McIlroy is perfectly fine with it.

Whether McIlroy was talking about Garcia specifically isn't clear. However, it should still make things interesting when Garcia mingles with some former Ryder Cup teammates at the U.S. Open on June 15.

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