Rory McIlroy’s dig at Henrik Stenson sparks response from LIV Golfers
Rory McIlroy received responses from two LIV Golfers, and former Ryder Cup teammates, after aiming a social media post at Henrik Stenson…
Rory McIlroy sparked another Ryder Cup row with a social media post aimed at Henrik Stenson.
The 34-year-old claimed Stenson’s transfer to LIV Golf was “the best thing” to happen to Europe’s 2023 Ryder Cup side on Twitter/X.
The Swede’s move in 2022 meant he lost the Ryder Cup captaincy which allowed Luke Donald to guide the continent to victory at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.
McIlroy’s post brought reactions from LIV Golf’s Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood with the former questioning if the four-time major champion had written the post himself.
“Guys calm down…” Poulter wrote. “This is a parody fake account. Rory McIlroy wouldn’t say this. it’s fake I promise you. He is a class act and wouldn’t say that about a teammate.”
DP World Tour player Pablo Larrazabal echoed Poulter’s sentiment: “Really? I don’t really like where this is going. Rory didn’t say that.”
Guys calm down …. This is a parody fake account.. Rory McIlroy wouldn’t say this. it’s fake I promise you. He is a class act and wouldn’t say that about a Team mate. 👍🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼🏆🇪🇺
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) December 10, 2023
Nice to see the season of good will in full swing! Merry Christmas!!! https://t.co/d95JWiXDR9
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) December 10, 2023
“Nice to see the season of goodwill in full swing! Merry Christmas!!!” Westwood said and then added another post later: “I remember my 1st beer!”
McIlroy’s words responded to data guru and coach Lou Stagner who wrote, “I wonder if @McIlroyRory also wants to change the rules so Stenson can captain the team?”
Following Jon Rahm’s big-money switch to LIV, the Northern Irishman said the DP World Tour need to “rewrite the rules” to ensure the Spaniard’s eligibility for the 2025 Ryder Cup.
“Jon is going to be in Bethpage in 2025,” he said to Sky Sports, “So because of this decision, the European Tour is going to have to rewrite the rules for Ryder Cup eligibility, absolutely.
“There is no question about that. I certainly want Jon Rahm on the next Ryder Cup team.”
McIlroy has been more active on Twitter/X than usual since the lead-up to the R&A and the USGA’s announcement of universal golf ball rollback and Rahm’s shock switch to LIV.
He also tweeted about the Ryder Cup on December 8 when BBC Scotland’s Tom English pondered why McIlroy didn’t want exceptions to be made for other European LIV players for this year’s Ryder Cup.
“Which is very true… we didn’t NEED any of the others in Rome and we didn’t miss them. We’d certainly miss and need Jon at Bethpage,” he replied.
Which is very true… we didn’t NEED any of the others in Rome and we didn’t miss them. We’d certainly miss and need Jon at Bethpage.
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) December 8, 2023
NOW READ: Has Jon Rahm just opened the LIV Golf floodgates?
NOW LISTEN to Lou Stagner on the From The Clubhouse podcast HERE!
Will the Rory McIlroy-LIV Golf feud ever end? Tell NCG on Twitter/X!
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
