Rory McIlroy’s ex-agent doesn’t hold back in Ryder Cup verdict – ‘Can’t see them winning’

The Ryder Cup will take place on American soil at Bethpage Black in New York this month, but Rory McIlroy’s former representative remains unconvinced of Team USA’s chances

Rory McIlroy’s former agent says he can’t see Team USA winning the Ryder Cup.

The next edition of the biennial contest will take place from September 26-28 this month on American soil, being held at the Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York. Team Europe are the defending champions after their impressive 16.5-11.5 triumph at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome back in 2023.

McIlroy, who finally claimed the Masters this year, was top scorer for the hosts that week with four points from five matches, while Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm both enjoyed unbeaten weeks. The respective teams will be captained this time around by Englishman Luke Donald and American Keegan Bradley.

Team USA will hope to deliver the same type of performances that won them the Ryder Cup by a record-breaking margin in 2021. The Americans boast US Open champion JJ Spaun and Scottie Scheffler, who is widely regarded as the standout player in golf today.

The latter won the PGA Championship and The Open Championship this year. Yet, McIlroy’s former agent Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler doesn’t believe they have a real chance of making it three home victories in a row. Chandler thinks Team USA only have two advantages against Europe – the crowd and world No. 1 Scheffler.

The Englishman told CasinoHawks: “I wrote down my thoughts for and against each team and for the American team were two things: the crowd and Scottie Scheffler. But Scheffler didn’t actually do that good last time anyway. I remember him crying on the edge of a green.

“For Europe I had about seven pluses, including the pairings being the same and the fact that they had seven in the top three, and they’re experienced. They all play in the big tournaments. They all play in America all the time. Nobody’s missing out on anything.

“In a strange sort of way, there’s another advantage in Tommy Fleetwood too. Fleetwood has suddenly become a world-class player in the last two months. He’s had two massive disappointments and then gone and won their biggest tournament.

“I wouldn’t know how that’s gone down with the Americans seeing a young English lad with long hair winning their Tour Championship! He’s a very popular English lad too, you know, more popular than the Americans.”

Fleetwood clinched his first PGA Tour victory at East Lake Golf Course last month by winning the Tour Championship and the FedExCup, owing to his consistent form this season. He was paired with McIlroy for the Friday and Saturday Ryder Cup foursomes in 2023, as the ‘Fleetwood Mac’ duo won both of their matches.

Chandler went on to add: “I think Europe has got more personality. They’ve got more fortitude. They’re right on top of it. Luke Donald’s been around a lot as the captain, overseeing everything.

“I’d like to ask him what his dinner plans have been for the last four months. I’ll bet he’s taken them all out for dinner. I’ll bet he’s played with most of them in a practice round or a tournament. He’s a very good captain.

“I thought the body language of the Americans when they were being told they were in was interesting. There was no excitement. Very ho-hum. Ben Griffin was the only one excited. I cannot see America winning.”