The ongoing debate about whether LIV Golf players should have the right to participate in the 2023 Ryder Cup is still raging. Now, one of Europe’s most prolific participants has offered his opinion.
Rory McIlroy is a Ryder Cup veteran and leader of the European side. He believes that LIV Golf players should not be part of the team headed for Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2018. Jon Rahm stated that he would support LIV players such as Sergio Garcia being on the team.
Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open Champion, said that he supports LIV players being included in the mix for next fall’s biennial bash against America because he wants the Euros have the strongest team possible through the selection of the best twelve players.
However, Sir Nick Faldo believes otherwise as he stated in an open interview with Sky Sports this week.
Faldo stated that they shouldn’t be there as they’ve left and it’s time to move on,” Sky Sports News.
“They are all at the age when Europe needs to find a new breed 25-year-olds capable of playing half a dozen or even more Ryder Cups. I believe we will have that.”
Faldo, 65 years old, has won 33 times in international competitions and nine more on the PGA Tour. He was awarded three green jackets at The Masters and three British Opens. He finished second at the U.S. Open in 1988, and tied for second at the 1992 PGA Championship. He held the Official World Golf Ranking’s top spot for 97 weeks. He was an TV analyst for almost two decades.
His success in Ryder Cup play was legendary. He held a record of 23-19-4 in the competition.
It’s not growing golf. That is what bothers me. Faldo stated that it really irritates me when people fly from one country to another and claim they are growing the game of golf. If they keep repeating that they want to grow golf, then go to other regions. In the beginning days of golf, there were many countries interested. Instead of trying to be antagonistic, do this.
“Do whatever they want. Let them play competitive, real golf. You can either move on or find another job once you have decided to retire. Nobody will talk about you. So just do what you want and move on.”
