“I believe one of golf’s greatest achievements is winning a Ryder Cup on the road. And that’s exactly what we plan to do at Bethpage.”
That closing statement captured the spirit of Rory McIlroy’s 2023 Ryder Cup. Fueled by a heated exchange with American caddie Joe LaCava on Saturday, McIlroy nearly got into a physical altercation in a parking lot before returning on Sunday to lead Europe to a decisive victory in Rome. Amid the celebrations, he vowed the Ryder Cup would stay with Europe. Were those words just hype, or a promise he intends to keep?
“I’m even more confident now than I was then,” McIlroy tells me in a quiet corner of the locker room at East Lake, Atlanta. “Of course, I said that in the excitement of winning, but looking at everything since—how our team is coming together, Luke agreeing to captain again, the continuity we have, and the strong form of European players this year, especially heading into the event—I feel good about our chances.
“Compared to the last two away Ryder Cups I’ve played, we’re in a much stronger position. We’re still the underdogs, but I’m more confident than in 2016 or 2021 that we can get it done.”
McIlroy returns to the Ryder Cup as the sixth player in history to complete the career Grand Slam, further elevating his already impressive status. The Masters in April will be a key moment for him and many others this season, regardless of whether Luke Donald and the team can overcome Keegan Bradley’s U.S. squad. McIlroy’s popularity was as notable as his long-awaited final major win. Still, his comments in Italy show that Bethpage was on his mind well before he conquered Augusta.
“When we won at Medinah in 2012, I didn’t fully grasp what it meant,” McIlroy reflects. “It was only my second Ryder Cup and my first away. I didn’t appreciate the scale of what we achieved, especially how it unfolded that Sunday. It feels like a distant memory now, but I’d love to experience that again. I can still recall the amazing feelings—I just didn’t realize at the time how difficult it was to pull off.”
There’s a broader belief that the Ryder Cup would benefit from more away wins. “Absolutely,” McIlroy agrees. “Not that the event needs more excitement, but it would add another layer. One of the intriguing things now is which team will crack first. It’s like holding serve in tennis—who will break? When the Americans came to Rome, it had been 30 years since they won on European soil.”
McIlroy could have faced Patrick Cantlay, LaCava’s player, in the third match on Sunday. After discussing it with Donald, he decided it was better to avoid that matchup. Instead, McIlroy defeated Sam Burns in the fourth match. “I’ve usually played third, and they knew that,” he explains. “It was better for me, the team, and everyone involved. On Sunday, you just want to win your point, no matter who it’s against.”
At Hazeltine in 2016, McIlroy was at the center of drama involving U.S. fans and Patrick Reed. With Rome’s intensity and New York’s passionate crowds, it’s natural to wonder what might happen next. The tribal atmosphere in a usually individual sport can bring out unexpected behavior. “It’s not planned,” McIlroy insists. “None of this is premeditated.
“I think something is bound to happen in New York. It might not involve me, but it’s inevitable that something will.”Something will happen, whether it’s like what happened in Rome last time or something else entirely.
“I just think when you go into that environment and you’re there for five or six days, with the crowd on you for eight hours a day, day after day… it’s inevitable that it will get to someone, or to us as a group, at some point. We just have to do a really good job of managing that, having each other’s backs, and protecting one another.”
Rory McIlroy defeated Bryson DeChambeau—a rival he’ll face again at the Ryder Cup—on his way to winning the Masters in April. When DeChambeau’s approach is brought up, McIlroy doesn’t exactly roll his eyes, but he laughs. DeChambeau struggled while McIlroy triumphed at Augusta. Curiously, the American has said he intends to “chirp in the ear” of McIlroy at Bethpage. McIlroy’s response is dismissive: “I think the only way he gets attention is by mentioning other people. That’s basically what I think of that. To get attention, he’ll mention me or Scottie [Scheffler] or others.”
The setting for this interview is a meaningful one—the same locker room where, seven years ago, McIlroy spoke with me as Tiger Woods walked by. Woods went on to win that week in Atlanta amid emotional scenes, followed by his Masters victory the next spring. Back then, McIlroy was still waiting, waiting, waiting for his own Green Jacket. Now, in the same spot in 2025, McIlroy signs Masters flags as we talk, and Woods is no longer a competitive force.
After McIlroy finally won the Masters this year, the conversation quickly shifted to what he might achieve next. He found this unfair and frustrating. McIlroy adds: “People started talking about the calendar slam. I was like, ‘Let me just enjoy this one.’ I think that’s what people want from athletes—they don’t want to hear that you’re satisfied, because it gives the impression you’re not giving 100%, which we all are. When you’ve had a goal for so long and you finally achieve it, it takes a little time to reset.”
This led McIlroy into some interesting reflections. Part of him wanted to take months off, while another part felt a natural urge to recommit to his game. Even with the Ryder Cup on his mind, he sank a 30-foot birdie putt to secure a playoff spot at the Irish Open, which he went on to win.
“When you have that feeling, when you win something like that, it’s almost like nothing else matters in a way—not that it actually doesn’t. It’s a double-edged sword,” McIlroy says. “I’ve realized over the past few years that when all is said and done, people aren’t going to remember how much money I won. They’re going to remember how many majors I won. So getting up for those? Not a concern at all. It’s the week-in, week-out tournaments that I’ve sometimes struggled with. The majors and the Ryder Cup are the five things in golf that really matter to me now.”
“It was unbelievable to win the Masters with Harry [Diamond, his caddie and best friend]. I’d love to win an Open with Harry. I’d love to get that US Open we’ve been so close to. Sometimes it’s not just about me—it’s about the other people who have been on this journey too.”
McIlroy, who lives in Florida, always seems at ease in Europe. There’s a nostalgic feeling for him there that seems to fuel his Ryder Cup motivation. “I think about my early days as a pro,” he says. “It brings me back to a simpler time in life…”I was just so happy to travel the world and play golf. I really enjoy playing in front of home crowds, something I struggled with earlier in my career. These are people who have watched me grow up. You can definitely disconnect from the wider golf world—it doesn’t always feel all-encompassing. I find it easier to step back from the day-to-day tour life.
Being Rory McIlroy is something no one else can truly understand, even though many try. Offer him a little peace and quiet, and he might just take you up on it right away.
“It’s a struggle for me to always love the position I’m in,” he admits. “There are times I wish I could just breeze through life without all the attention, but I know that with what I’ve achieved in the game, it comes with the territory. Sometimes I really long for a bit of anonymity and a quieter life. That will happen one day. Right now, this is my time in the sun. In 10 years, it won’t be, and that’s when I’ll get to enjoy that part of life.” Enjoy him while he’s here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Rory McIlroys Ryder Cup ambitions and Masters aspirations written in a clear and natural tone
General Beginner Questions
Q What is this articleinterview about
A Its about Rory McIlroy discussing his future goals in golf specifically his desire to win the Masters tournament and his passion for playing in the Ryder Cup for Team Europe
Q What is the Ryder Cup
A The Ryder Cup is a famous biennial golf tournament between teams from Europe and the United States Its known for its intense team atmosphere and patriotic spirit unlike regular individual tournaments
Q Why is the Masters tournament such a big deal for Rory
A The Masters is one of golfs four major championships Winning it would complete the Career Grand Slam for Rory meaning he has won all four majors at least once in his career Its the only major he hasnt won yet
Q Has Rory McIlroy ever won the Masters
A No he has not He has come close several times but has yet to win the tournament which is a major motivation for him
Advanced Detailed Questions
Q What are Rorys specific ambitions for the Ryder Cup
A Beyond just playing his ambitions include being a leader on the European team helping to mentor younger players and doing everything he can to secure a victory for Europe He deeply values the team experience
Q How many Ryder Cups has Rory played in
A As of the end of 2023 Rory McIlroy has played in seven Ryder Cups
Q What is holding him back from winning the Masters
A Historically a poor start in the first round has put him too far behind to catch up The pressure and specific challenges of the Augusta National golf course have also been factors in past performances
Q How does his Ryder Cup experience influence his individual game
A The team environment and passion of the Ryder Cup often reenergize his love for golf The confidence gained from performing under that extreme pressure can positively impact his play in individual tournaments afterward
Practical FutureOriented Questions
