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Rory McIlroy wants to ‘shift the narrative’ after Ryder Cup abuse

by wellnessfitpro

Rory McIlroy was a target for abuse from a partisan crowd at Bethpage Black last month as Europe won the Ryder Cup in New York

Rory McIlroy has expressed his belief that the Ryder Cup is being remembered for the wrong reasons, and he wishes to change this narrative. The Holywood superstar, who contributed three-and-a-half points to Europe’s 15-13 victory last month, was a prime target for abuse from the partisan crowd at Bethpage.

Speaking ahead of his first tournament since Europe’s triumph, and his inaugural appearance in the DP World Tour’s new India Championship, which commences on Thursday, McIlroy believes the focus should be on Europe’s performance.

He stated: “The unfortunate thing is people aren’t remembering that and they are remembering the week for the wrong reason. I would like to shift the narrative and focus on how good the European team were and how proud I was to be part of that team to win an away Ryder Cup.

“I’ve been following the sort of narrative coming out of the Ryder Cup just like everyone else,” he added. “But unfortunately, I think it takes away from what we focused on, which is what an incredible performance it was by the European team.”

McIlroy has twice tasted Ryder Cup victory on American soil, having been part of Europe’s winning team in Medinah in 2012, and he has emerged victorious in six of his eight Ryder Cup appearances. While he lavished praise on past team captains, particularly Luke Donald, he revealed that as long as he continues to compete at the top level as a player, he will not contemplate taking on the captaincy role “until the mid-2030s”.

“I would love to be a captain one day, and I feel very fortunate that I’ve had a front-row seat playing under some of the best captains in history in the Ryder Cup,” he expressed. “But I think the time and the effort and the dedication that Luke Donald has put into the last four years, it’s been absolutely amazing.

“He has 100 per cent respect of the entire team and everyone that’s worked for him and all are behind him. If I can be nearly as good as a captain as Luke Donald, I’ll have done a good job. So hopefully one day in the future, but I’d say not until the mid-2030s, hopefully, if I can keep playing well.”

McIlroy, currently leading the Race to Dubai, will tee off alongside Ryder Cup colleague Viktor Hovland and Ben Griffin during the first two days in Delhi, where a hefty £3million prize fund is up for grabs.

He further added: “I’m excited to play a golf tournament in a place that I’ve never played before. Eighteen-odd years into a professional career and to still be able to do things for the first time is something that excites me.”

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