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World No. 1 Rory McIlroy says he was ‘shocked’ at the appointment of Davis Love 111 as 2016 USA Ryder Cup captain and also insists it’s not ‘rocket science’ why Europe has been successful.
McIlroy is returning to competition at this week’s Honda Classic and competing for a first time on American soil following a three-week break since capturing the Dubai Desert Classic.
Rory McIlroy in good spirits during today’s Honda Classic Pro-Am. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
The 25-year old is no stranger to success on the PGA National course given he won the $US 6.1m event in 2012 and along with Scot Russell Knox lost out in a play-off last year.
But while McIlroy will clearly be at ease competing on a course also located just 10 minutes from his palatial Florida abode, he sees a sense of frustration within the PGA of America who rubber-stamped Love 111s appointment.
“It came as a big shock wen they announced yesterday Davis was going to be the next US Captain,” said McIlroy.
“It will be great to see Davis and Darren (Clarke) go head-to-head at Hazeltine and they will be formidable opponents.
“But then also I’m surprised, and I feel they’re overdoing it, with the setting up of a task force and also talking about all the changes they want to bring in.
“It’s been said by a few players since we won at Gleneagles that it’s not rocket science why Europe have won the last three Ryder Cups and eight of the past 10.
“Davis is going to be a great captain, and it was a freak we won at Medinah in 2012 and it was not supposed to happen given they had a 10 – 6 lead and if the States had of won Davis would have been looked upon as a great captain.
“So I get the sense the States, what with their task force and everything that came out in the announcement yesterday, that they’re desperate to win back the Ryder Cup.
“And I will say it again because it’s not that complicated why Europe has been winning.”
McIlroy has now competed in the past three victorious European Ryder Cup teams and will be sure to spear-head Darren Clarke’s 2016 Team as Europe continues to create history by winning four Ryder Cups in succession.
