Matt Fitzpatrick says he “would not thoughts” LIV Golf gamers becoming a member of this yr’s European Ryder Cup crew regardless of robust opposition from Rory McIlroy and others.
“I do not suppose a participant like that ought to be on a Ryder Cup crew,” McIlroy insists, however the present U.S. Open champion desires the strongest crew attainable in Europe.
In an interview with Sky Sports activities, Fitzpatrick stated of Luke Donald’s Staff Europe, “It could possibly be gamers from different components of the world.” (opens in new tab).
“I am positive there are some private relationships which have been dented by this. [the LIV vs PGA Tour civil war]I do not care, I simply wish to win and I am positive these boys will too. ”
Fitzpatrick has competed in two Ryder Cups in 2016 and 2021, having beforehand teamed up with fellow Yorkshireman and good good friend Lee Westwood (now at LIV Golf) in a foursome.
He additionally partnered fellow Westwood LIV participant Henrik Stenson at Hazeltine in 2016, however the Swede can be out this yr after being ousted as captain when he joined LIV Golf. Most unlikely.
Fitzpatrick stated of Iceman, who lasted solely 127 days as captain, “He began preparing for Rome, taking notes and planning, so it was onerous.” It is like, man, I’ll relaxation.”
One participant the Englishman thinks Europe will miss is all-time Ryder Cup points-scorer Sergio Garcia. Singles occasion in Spain final season.
“I truthfully do not know,” Garcia informed Marca. (opens in new tab) As as to whether his Ryder Cup choices are nonetheless zero. “Initially, I missed the minimal variety of tournaments final yr, so I don’t suppose I’ll qualify.
The Spaniard additionally stated some members of the European facet “confirmed little class.”
“Sergio particularly goes to be a standout participant for me,” Fitzpatrick informed Sky Sports activities.
“I do not know the main points [his relationship with McIlroy]I am glad to share a room with him, and in that case, I can hunt him down for everybody else.
Fitzpatrick additionally appears advantageous with the Startup Tour itself, however not with gamers who proceed to make use of the DP World Tour as a spot to earn world rating factors. The likes of Abraham Ancer and Talor Gooch, for instance, have been criticized for taking part in within the BMW PGA Championship regardless of having by no means really supported his DP World Tour earlier than.
“So long as you go and don’t come again, I’ve no drawback,” he stated. “Go get your cash and play wherever you need. I did not care. Simply do not come again and take the spot away from different individuals who wish to play.
“I perceive that there are gamers like Westy, Poulter and Sergio who’ve performed rather a lot in Europe through the years. They cannot knock them for that. I’ve it for touring.”
Fitzpatrick will make his 2023 debut on the Sentry Match of Champions in Kapalua this week. The upgraded prize event contains a $15 million prize pool and a complete of 17 of the world’s prime 20 gamers. Rory McIlroy is skipping the occasion after it was revealed he wouldn’t be capable of take part in one of many newly mandated promotional prize tournaments launched in retaliation to the LIV Golf risk.