Ryder Cup: According to Matt Fitzpatrick, he wants Europe to field the strongest squad possible at the 2023 Ryder Cup, including team members who have joined LIV Golf after leaving the PGA Tour.
Europe will defend the Ryder Cup against the USA in Rome in the fall of 2016, but their preparations have been derailed by golf’s civil war, which resulted in the removal of Henrik Stenson as captain and raised questions over the eligibility for a number of players.
While world No. 1 Rory McIlroy, the head of the PGA Tour players’ advisory committee, has been harshly critical of his former team members, Ryder Cup icons Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, and Ian Poulter joined the Saudi-funded LIV circuit.
While Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed, two major champions, have been excluded from the USA’s LIV team, it is yet unknown whether Luke Donald, the European captain, would be subject to the same limitations.
Fitzpatrick, the US Open champion, said he “absolutely agrees” that Europe should choose the top 12 players in a special interview with Sky Sports News.
Fitzpatrick speculated that there might be several international participants.
“I believe that this has damaged a few personal relationships, to be sure.
“I don’t care; all I want is to win, and I’m sure those boys share my desire.”
Fitzpatrick thinks Sergio Garcia, the team’s all-time best scorer with 28.5 points, is the player whose talent and experience Europe could most use in Rome.
For me personally, Sergio would be the one to stick out, Fitzpatrick remarked.
The specifics of [his friendship with McIlroy] are unknown to me.
If that’s the case, I’m willing to share a room with him and can isolate him from the other guests.
‘Stenson’s departure was difficult.’
The departure of Stenson as captain in July dealt a severe blow to Europe’s preparations, and the Swede received criticism for his action.
Fitzpatrick believes that as long as players don’t attempt to compete in PGA Tour or DP World Tour events after joining LIV Golf, he has no issue with them doing so.
Fitzpatrick said: “It was a difficult one because Stenson had begun preparing for Rome, making notes and making plans,” and suddenly it was like,’ sorry, fellas, I’m off.’
“I don’t care where you go as long as you don’t come back. Take the money and go wherever you want to play; I couldn’t care less. Just don’t come back and take spaces away from other players.
“I am aware that players like Westy, Poulter, and Sergio have played extensively in Europe throughout the years and have contributed in their own ways, and they have. They have done far more for the European Tour than I have, so I can never criticise them for that.”
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