Justin Rose has shed light on Rory McIlroy’s influence as a teammate behind the scenes leading up to the Ryder Cup. The two golfers are currently competing at The Open Championship, with McIlroy positioned at T12 on the leaderboard midway through the tournament.
Having previously faced off in a playoff at the Masters in April, where McIlroy emerged victorious to secure the Green Jacket and complete a remarkable career Grand Slam, McIlroy and Rose have teamed up as Ryder Cup partners on four occasions.
The upcoming Ryder Cup event will take place at the Bethpage Black Course in September. Although Rose may need a captain’s pick to secure his spot, he highlighted the valuable support provided by McIlroy off the course.
Discussing the upcoming golfing schedule post-The Open, Rose expressed anticipation for the FedExCup Playoffs and the Ryder Cup. He praised McIlroy for his dedication and teamwork, emphasizing that McIlroy’s stature in the sport doesn’t overshadow the team dynamic.
Reflecting on his own performance, Rose, currently tied for 17th at The Open, mentioned a resurgence in energy and focus following a lull post-Masters. He noted similarities in McIlroy’s form and timing.
McIlroy, in stellar form with wins at multiple events this year, secured his place on Team Europe in June for his eighth consecutive Ryder Cup appearance against Team USA. Eager to replicate the team’s success under captain Luke Donald in Rome two years ago, McIlroy expressed his honor in representing Europe and his anticipation for the challenge ahead at Bethpage.
Following his Masters triumph, McIlroy faced challenges at subsequent events but made a strong comeback with a T2 finish at the Scottish Open. Rose, acknowledged for his sportsmanlike response to his Masters defeat, achieved a top-10 finish last week and shared insights on his acceptance of the narrow loss to McIlroy.
Expressing admiration for McIlroy’s achievement at the Masters, Rose acknowledged the significance of the moment and expressed happiness for McIlroy’s long-awaited success. He highlighted McIlroy’s talent and the inevitability of his triumph given his consistent performance over the years.
