Rory McIlroy's Plan to Tackle New York Crowd and US Opponents
Rory McIlroy reveals his strategy for handling the New York crowd and finding the perfect balance between engagement and focus at the Ryder Cup.
“We all know what to expect. We all know what our roles are...”
Rory McIlroy is looking forward to potentially facing off against Bryson DeChambeau at the Ryder Cup, describing it as “wonderful” for the championship. Their rivalry has intensified this week, with DeChambeau vowing to “chirp” in McIlroy's ear during the event. McIlroy, however, remains focused on Europe's goal of retaining the trophy on US soil.
McIlroy's priority is to contribute to Europe's success, saying, “All I want to do is go and try and put blue points on the board. I don't care who it's against.” As Europe's talisman, McIlroy will lead the team against the host United States at Bethpage Black, starting Friday. He emphasizes the challenge of winning in America, where the home team has dominated recent Ryder Cups.
DeChambeau has expressed admiration for McIlroy as a player and looks forward to their potential matchup. “It's going to be fun to go up against him this week, whether it's against him directly or through other players,” DeChambeau said. While DeChambeau doesn't think it's likely they'll face each other more than once, he believes rivalries are beneficial for golf.
McIlroy and DeChambeau have had notable encounters, including their final round pairing at the Masters, where McIlroy completed his career Grand Slam. DeChambeau's comments about “chirping” in McIlroy's ear have added to the rivalry, which both players seem to welcome.
A war of words has been brewing between Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau, with their rivalry heating up ahead of the Ryder Cup. The tension began at the Masters, where DeChambeau vowed to “chirp in McIlroy's ear” during the tournament. McIlroy fired back, saying DeChambeau only attracts attention by mentioning other golfers, claiming, “The only way [DeChambeau] gets attention is by mentioning other people.
DeChambeau has since downplayed the rivalry, stating, “Whatever Rory says and whatnot is great. He didn't mean anything by it. I hope we can have some good banter back and forth.” McIlroy has also seemed to ease the spat, partly due to Europe captain Luke Donald's influence, but made it clear he's looking forward to facing DeChambeau. “If I come up against Bryson at some point, I think that's great,” McIlroy told reporters.
The Ryder Cup promises to be an exciting stage for this rivalry, with both players eager to make their mark. DeChambeau has expressed his desire to let his golf clubs do the talking, while McIlroy is ready for a competitive matchup. This encounter will not only be about individual pride but also about team victory, making it a highly anticipated showdown.
“I promised Luke I would only talk about the European team today. I'm going to stick to it,” McIlroy said.
“It's so easy to play into narratives this week and to get swept up in this whole rivalries and Ryder Cup and whatever it is. All I want to do is go and try and put blue points on the board. I don't care who it's against.
“If I come up against Bryson at some point, I think that's great. That's wonderful for the championship and wonderful for us, as well, in some ways.”
Rory McIlroy and his European teammates aim to capture the Ryder Cup on US soil for the fifth time, seeking to end a streak of lopsided host wins since Europe's remarkable 2012 “Miracle at Medinah” comeback victory. The team is determined to make a strong showing and bring the Cup back to Europe, fueled by their passion and competitive spirit.
Happy @RyderCup week! 🇺🇸🇪🇺@RyderCupUSA | @RyderCupEurope pic.twitter.com/5QY6iUwAu7
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 22, 2025
“On the eve of his eighth Cup appearance, the most of any golfer this week, McIlroy is part of a team that returns 11 of 12 players from the triumphant Rome squad.
“It has been a really cohesive group for the last three years,” McIlroy said.
McIlroy praises the team's cohesion, built over three years, saying, “We all know what to expect. We all know what our roles are... that has us prepared to give it a really good go this week.”
Rory McIlroy is gearing up for his eighth Ryder Cup appearance, the most of any golfer this week. He'll be part of a team that returns 11 of 12 players from the triumphant Rome squad, where Europe emerged victorious with a 16.5-11.5 win.
The team's unity and preparation will be crucial as they face off against the US at Bethpage Black. McIlroy has evolved into a leader, embracing the Ryder Cup's significance after initially viewing it as an exhibition. His experience and passion make him a cornerstone of Team Europe. Europe's goal is to break the streak of five consecutive home wins since 2012, with McIlroy emphasizing that a victory would be one of his greatest career accomplishments.
Only 37 players have won away from home. Time we added to that?
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 23, 2025
Our Time. Our Place. pic.twitter.com/7Lsp0nTY5a
Balancing Engagement and Focus
Rory McIlroy is working to strike the right balance between engaging with spectators and maintaining his focus on the game. Despite being booed by some fans during practice, McIlroy aims to stay positive and interact with the crowd without letting their reactions affect his performance. He recognizes the importance of building a connection with fans while also preparing for the challenges ahead in the Ryder Cup.
“At times in the Ryder Cup, I've engaged too much with the crowd, but then there's times where I haven't engaged enough," he said. "So it's really just trying to find the balance of using that energy from the crowd to fuel your performance.”
Rory McIlroy has learned from past experiences about the importance of finding the right balance between engaging with the crowd and staying focused on his game. He recalled his time at Hazeltine in 2016, where he cupped his hand to his ear and yelled, “I can't hear you,” after making a long putt. “At Hazeltine I probably engaged too much at times,” McIlroy said, reflecting on the need to strike a balance.
McIlroy's approach at Whistling Straits in 2021 was different, where he felt he didn't engage enough with the crowd and ended up feeling flat. He recognizes that interacting with fans is important, but it's a delicate touch. McIlroy is working to find the perfect balance this week, being mindful of his interactions with spectators while staying focused on the game.
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