McIlroy, Furyk No Fans Of Fan-Free Ryder Cup

1st Tee At Le Golf National, 2018 Ryder Cup

Phil Casey of PA Media reports on Rory McIlroy’s live Instagram chat for Taylor Made and his response to consideration of a “virtual fan experience”.

McIlroy himself down as a definite no:

“I get the financial implications for everyone involved … there’s a lot that goes into putting on the Ryder Cup that people don’t probably know or appreciate – but having a Ryder Cup without fans is not a Ryder Cup.

“For me I would much rather they delay it until 2021 than play it at Whistling Straits without fans. And that’s from a European going to America, knowing that I’m going to get abuse!”

Jim Furyk, the USA captain in 2018, was also less than excited about such a prospect. From his appearance on the Connecticut Sports podcast with Jared Kotler:

A @CTScoreboardPod exclusive. Hear from @RyderCupUSA Vice Captain Jim Furyk on the prospect of playing the #RyderCup with no fans. Full pod to come as we go hole by hole breaking down his 58 at @TravelersChamp pic.twitter.com/qoKxZZMv23

— Jared Kotler (@JaredKotler) April 21, 2020

Current captain Padraig Harrington has said he does not see the Ryder Cup being played without fans.

And add Tommy Fleetwood to the list, writes GolfDigest.com’s Daniel Rappaport.

A postponement obviously pushes all cup events back a year. Or, I’ll be the first to say what most of us think: cancel the 2021 Presidents Cup and play the Ryder Cup in 2021 and 2022. It’s what we all want anyway.