Luke Donald , European Ryder Cup Captain, has big decisions to make about his team for the 2023 Italian event.
Rory McIlroy is a Ryder Cup veteran and leader of the European side. He has been vocal about LIV Golf players and why he believes they shouldn’t be on the team bound to Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 20,23. Jon Rahm has however stated that he would support LIV players like Sergio Garcia being on the team.
Matt Fitzpatrick can be added to Rahm’s debate. Sky Sports heard from the 2022 U.S. Open champion that he supports LIV players in the mix for next fall’s biennial match against the Americans because he wants the Euros have the strongest team possible, selecting the best 12 players.
“I believe there are definitely a few personal relationships that were damaged by this. Fitzpatrick said that Garcia is a standout. “I am happy to share a space with him, and if that’s the case, I can block him off for everyone else.”
Garcia, Team Europe’s most successful scorer, with 28 1/2 points in 10 appearances is just one of a few European players who have made the leap to LIV in 2022. Others include Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood as well as Graeme McDowell. Henrik Stenson was to be captain of the 2023 European team but he was forced to resign in July after he moved to the new, Saudi-backed circuit.
Fitzpatrick said, “It was a difficult one because (Stenson), had started gearing up to Rome, making notes, and putting together plans,”. ‘”
Fitzpatrick stated that players who moved to LIV were fine as long as they go and don’t return. “Go take the money and go play where you want. I don’t care if you come back to take places from other guys who want to play.”
He said, “I get that Westy, Poulter, and Sergio have played a lot over the years in Europe and have done their part,” he added. They’ve done a lot more than me for the European Tour, and I can’t fault them for that.
Fitzpatrick has a terrible 0-5-0 record in two Euros appearances, in 2016 and 2021. Both ended in crushing defeats to the United States on American soil. Since 1993, the Europeans have not lost on their home turf and will be severely outgunned in the 2023 competition. Twelve Americans currently rank in the top 20 of the world. Seven of them have Ryder Cup experience. Only five members of Team Europe are currently ranked in the top 20: McIlroy and Rahm, Fitzpatrick; Viktor Hovland; Shane Lowry.
