Rory McIlroy has again questioned the merits of a Ryder Cup without fans, insisting that the contest would be better placed on the 2021 schedule.
The game’s top player is set to make a sixth appearance in the biennial event this September but the Whistling Straits staging remains in serious doubt given all the uncertainty posed by covid-19.
And now the Hollywood star believes the famous team competition will be lacking too many ingredients this September to become the spectacle that has made it so special over the years.
“My personal hunch is that I don’t see how it is going to happen, so I do not think that it will happen,” McIlroy said to BBC NI.
“I think the majority of players would like to see it pushed back until 2021 so that they can play in front of crowds and have the atmosphere that makes the Ryder Cup so special.
“The players are the ones that make the Ryder Cup. If they are not on board with it and don’t want to play then there is no Ryder Cup. I see it being pushed back until 2021 and, honestly, I think that will be the right call.”
The 31-year old has already pencilled himself inf or the first three events on the PGA Tour restart, beginning on June 11th with the Charles Schwab Challenge and he also hasn’t ruled out a return to Europe later this year too.
“It’s a tough one,” he added. “There are a lot of things up in the air, but if there are some big events in autumn time, then I can. Maybe if Wentworth gets moved to October, which they are thinking of, then I could see myself going over and playing that event.
“I was just as disappointed as everyone else that The Open got cancelled this year. I think it would have been a good date in September if we were able to play it.
“I wouldn’t have concerns about travelling to Europe. I think if you stick to the guidelines then I don’t see any reason why we should feel scared to travel.”
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