Rory McIlroy aims pointed dig at former Ryder Cup teammates after Jon Rahm demand

Rory McIlroy has questioned the ability of Team Europe with a desperate plea now to the board now that Jon Rahm has left the PGA Tour and signed a record deal with LIV Golf

Rory McIlroy abruptly changed his mind about LIV Golf players participating in the Ryder Cup on Thursday, following Jon Rahm’s announcement that he would join the organization.

With a record-breaking contract with LIV, Rahm is expected to receive upwards of £400 million upon leaving the PGA Tour. Rahm is a member of Team Europe’s Ryder Cup squad, one of the greatest players in the world, and the current Masters champion.

McIlroy said earlier this year that LIV golfers should not play for Europe against Team USA in the Ryder Cup. But McIlroy has now altered his stance by saying “We need Jon” – and now doubled down by aiming a pointed dig towards some of his former Europe teammates.

BBC Sport journalist Tom English commented on McIlroy’s change of heart on social media, as he said: “Rory’s singing a different tune now that it’s Rahm. Didn’t hear this kind of chat from him about the others who joined LIV.”

The Northern Irishman then replied, suggesting Rahm is a different case and claiming Team Europe “didn’t miss” other former teammates. The likes of Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell all missed the last Ryder Cup after joining LIV.

McIlroy replied: “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.”

The next Ryder Cup is in 2025 and will take place in Bethpage, New York. While McIlroy was happy to play without several of his former teammates, he is now calling for a change to accommodate Rahm.

Golf is in a transitional state, with McIlroy siding with Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, and Jason Day in being anti-LIV to protect the PGA Tour. In June the PGA and DP World Tours announced a planned merge with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund which supports LIV, but the agreement has a December 31 deadline.

Rahm also produced a U-turn of his own, after previously stating he had no interest in joining LIV and that the money was not an incentive. “I laugh when people rumour me with LIV Golf,” Rahm said via Handicap 54 in the past. “I’ve never liked the format. And I always have a good time with Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia in the practice rounds of majors.”

McIlroy was disheartened in Rahm for leaving the PGA Visit, however said that it’s not shocking his position changed after a union understanding was declared on June 6. “Is it frustrating to me? Indeed, yet the scene of golf changed on 6 June, when the system arrangement was reported,” McIlroy told Sky Sports.

“It legitimized fundamentally the thing LIV was attempting to do, and I consider in light of the fact that that it took the leap from the PGA Visit to LIV somewhat simpler for folks. Jon will be in Bethpage in 2025. Due to this choice, the European visit must revise the guidelines for Ryder Cup qualification.

“That’s what there’s definitely no inquiry regarding – I absolutely need Jon Rahm in the following Ryder Cup group.”