US Open champion Matthew Fitzpatrick disagrees with Rory McIlroy about what should happen with the Ryder Cup selections.
McIlroy, 33, spoke to the media ahead of his debut at the Italian Open on the DP World Tour, where he admitted he “just couldn’t stop” speaking out on the subject of LIVGolf again because he feels so passionate about the subject.
The Northern Irishman said he did not think LIV players should be selected for the Ryder Cup.
“I said it once, I said it a hundred times, I don’t think any of these guys should be on the Ryder Cup team,” McIlroy said at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club , venue for the 2023 showdown.
Fitzpatrick, 28, who will compete in the DP World Tour event alongside his brother Alex, 23, also waxed lyrical on the subject.
“I said it last week, and I just want to win the Ryder Cup, so in my opinion, I want to make the team myself but I want the best 11 guys we can have. That doesn’t make me “I don’t really mind where they’re going to come from,” he said.
“I just want to make sure we win and I think that’s the most important thing. I know other guys might not necessarily agree with that, but I know the feeling victory is worth more than any kind of argument you might have with other players.”
Fitzpatrick’s comments came as Jon Rahm took to social media to deny that he is the next PGA Tour to join Greg Norman’s league.
More: Greg Norman explains how he lured Cam Smith to LIV
“You and your source are wrong,” lambasted the Spaniard on social networks.
Fitzpatrick, whose brother Alex also revealed he refused a silhouette north of 2 million dollars to join the controversial series, also said he spoke to a LIV player last week at Wentworth during the BMW PGA Championship, where he admitted he would have no problem if they were part of the team in Rome.
He said: “There’s only one (player) I had a conversation with last week. I told him I’d be happy to have him in the team. I wouldn’t have no problem. Like I said, I want to win, and if that means having anyone on the team, that’s all that matters to me.
“I haven’t talked to the others but I talked to one and it’s kind of… you know, I let him know my thoughts and my feelings about it.”
