Rory McIlroy Ignites Ryder Cup Trash Talk with Jab at Americans

It’s no secret that Rory McIlroy loves the Ryder Cup.

There is still more than a year until the Europeans will head back to U.S. soil and attempt to hold onto the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. McIlroy is already starting the trash talk.

During the Olympics Press Conference on Tuesday, McIlroy addressed the media and brought up memories of the 2018 Ryder Cup, which was played at Le Golf National in Paris, the same course he will attempt to win gold on this weekend.

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The four-time Major Champion addressed a question about course conditions this week compared to 2018, and whether portions of the track were as demanding as they were in 2016. McIlroy talked about the rough:

"I don't think it will play that much differently. It's so pure. It's in such great shape. But the rough is thick. It's a pretty meaty setup."

After an observation about the rough length not being nearly as long this week as it was in 2018, McIlroy took a jab at the Americans, stating he would not know much about the conditions of the grass back then:

"Ask the Americans. I wasn't in it much that week."

Rory McIlroy on how the rough will play this week at Le Golf National in comparison with the 2018 Ryder Cup: "Ask the Americans. I wasn't in it much that week."

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGolf) July 30, 2024

It's safe to say American fans were not a big fan of the comment. Plenty of references to McIlroy's missed three-foot putt at the U.S. Open were mentioned.

There's also another funny thing to bring up: McIlroy was 2-3 during that Ryder Cup. He lost his Sunday Singles match to Justin Thomas after relinquishing the hole early due to a poor tee shot, a duffed second shot, and a third shot that ended up in the water.

Rory McIlroy on how the rough will play this week at Le Golf National in comparison with the 2018 Ryder Cup: "Ask the Americans. I wasn't in it much that week."

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGolf) July 30, 2024

Cover Image via Golf Digest