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Rory McIlroy is a man from whom expectations are always huge when it comes to the future. Many eyes will be directed towards the Northern Irishman who will have the chance to show his best at Bethpage Black next year. The season behind him was quite solid, and his performance at the Race to Dubai, with a five-under 67, which is enough for the lead in the DP World Tour Championship, shows how superior Rory is.
The Northern Irishman wants to finish among the top 10, in order to maintain his advantage over Thriston Lawrence.
In an interview with the media, the 35-year-old said that he was happy with a solid start. His wishes are that his opponents, primarily Thriston, do not excel in the coming days. However, Rory wants to put the greatest focus on himself, with the intention of finishing the season in the right style.
“It’s is a really solid start,” McIlroy said, as quoted by Belfast Telegraph.
“I couldn't have hoped for much more.
Thriston didn't have his best day. I fully expect that that's his worst day this week, you know, so I still have to go out there and play very solid golf to get the job done.
But, you know, I put my I've put myself in a position where I want to go on and win the tournament now, and try to end the season on a really nice high.”
Rumors have been circulating for days that the PGA of America could finance the US Ryder Cup team with $400,000. Rory McIlroy reacted to such rumors.
McIlroy said that he personally would be willing to pay for the privilege of participating in the Ryder Cup. He explained that he believes that currently the two purest forms of competition in golf are the Ryder Cup and the Olympic Games, because in both cases no money is involved, which gives them a special purity and integrity.
Golf fans, especially older ones, mostly emphasize prestige and tradition. Playing in the Ryder Cup is a dream come true for many golfers. Playing in such a big tournament and having the opportunity to represent the US or Europe is a huge honor for everyone. McIlroy has had such an honor many times so far, but he also took advantage of the opportunity that came his way every time. The Olympics, although not so popular in recent years, is now gaining more and more importance.
Rory admitted that he understands the other side of the argument, as the Ryder Cup generates huge revenues and is one of the biggest sporting events in the world. Because of this, it can be justified for players to be paid to participate. However, he believes that the Ryder Cup represents much more than that, especially for Europe and the European Tour, and that its significance is greater than any financial compensation.
A huge motivation for the Europeans will be the fact that they will have a chance to win on away soil, which is a difficult task. The 35-year-old golfer is nevertheless convinced that the European team has the necessary quality and individuals who can help the European team celebrate at Bethpage Black.
Rory McIlroy on the idea of paying the Ryder Cup team
Rory McIlroy explains that he and other European golfers discussed the idea of paying the Ryder Cup team and came to a consensus. While they understand that such money could be used to pay players, McIlroy believes that money would be better spent supporting other tournaments within the DP World Tour, and even the Challenge Tour, to support the development of the lower categories of golf.
With this act, Rory, as well as his colleagues, showed that the development of golf as a sport is important to them, and only then other things. McIlroy does not want to put himself or his colleagues first, believing that golfers who have yet to build a golf story deserve to develop in the right way, having a much better foundation than Rory and others.
He stresses that most European players feel that paying for the Ryder Cup would change their "feeling". Although he does not use the word "taint", he clearly suggests that it would set a different tone for the whole event. McIlroy also points out that European golfers have been very close over the past decade and that they don't want any changes, such as the introduction of player payouts, to erode the sense of community they've built.
The European team showed great team spirit, unity, and harmony in the moments when it was most needed. The Europeans want to continue in the same rhythm, this time with the intention of celebrating on US soil next year.
English (US)