Rory McIlroy scolded by Ryder Cup star in sarcastic dig after Henrik Stenson outburst
Rory McIlroy has come under fire from Ian Poulter and other LIV Golf stars after the world No. 2 took a pop at one-time Ryder Cup skipper Henrik Stenson. The Swede was set to be Europe’s captain at Rome’s Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in September before he was stripped of the role after choosing to join the Saudi-funded LIV Golf tour in July 2022.
Stenson was replaced by Englishman Luke Donald who successfully guided the hosts to an emphatic 16.5-11.5 victory, ensuring that the Sam Ryder trophy remained on European soil.
But with one of Team Europe’s biggest stars, Jon Rahm, also defecting to LIV Golf last week in a staggering £450m deal, McIlroy has now called for a change to the European rules to allow LIV golfers to represent Europe at the Ryder Cup.
Reacting to McIlroy’s comments and seemingly new position on Ryder Cup eligibility, golf performance coach and pod-caster Lou Stagner wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “I wonder if @McIlroyRory also wants to change the rules so Stenson can captain the team?”
McIlroy responded directly to Stagner and wrote: “The best thing to happen to the 2023 Euro Ryder Cup team was Henrik going to LIV!”