What Rory McIlroy previously said about the Team Cup as the 2025 event looms

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January is going to be an important month for European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald with a number of those hoping to be at Bethpage set to tee it up in the Team Cup at the start of the new year.

As part of Luke Donald‘s preparations for the 2023 Ryder Cup, the Englishman reintroduced a team competition for the start of the year, pitting Great Britain and Ireland against continental Europe. There was a hint of controversy surrounding the event given the similarities with the Seve Trophy which was played between 2000 and 2013.

The likes of Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Robert MacIntyre, Nicolai Hojgaard and Sepp Straka all featured before going on to play a part in Europe regaining the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone.

And there are two impressive lineups this time around. Fleetwood and Hatton will return for 2025, while Rasmus Hojgaard will join his twin brother on the opposite side.

Rory McIlroy issues his verdict on the Team Cup

Rory McIlroy will not be involved with his place at Bethpage all but assured – as long as he is not injured. But speaking in 2023, the Northern Irishman suggested that he is a big fan of the concept.

“I think The [Team] Cup was a wonderful exercise. I played the Seve Trophy back in the day in 2009, and it gave me a slight glimpse of what the Ryder Cup could be like and spending time with people that have played and spending time with people that would become captains of Ryder Cup teams. I think it’s great for the young guys to get that experience,” he said.

“I think, as well, a lot of the matches were very tight, so it was great for the vice captains and the captain to see who excelled in those scenarios, who thrived under that pressure coming down the last few holes trying to win a match.

“I mean, it wasn’t – from what I have heard, it wasn’t all buddy-buddy. There was some pretty – there’s a bit of tension going on, which is good. I mean that’s what we need. It’s a great exercise. It will definitely make the people that – it will distinguish the guys that have a chance to make the team and are going to shine in that environment.”

The role McIlroy may have in the Team Cup in the coming years

Team golf always has the potential to create real excitement – particularly when matchplay is involved. And as McIlroy suggested in 2023, the competitive juices will be flowing at the Team Cup, regardless of how important the event is in each player’s season.

What will be interesting to see is whether McIlroy himself gets involved in a captaincy role in a future staging of the event. It is hard to see Donald remaining in charge for 2027, and if either Justin Rose or Francesco Molinari succeed him, then it would appear that Europe are trying to create that pathway for both players and captains.

McIlroy will almost certainly captain Europe at a Ryder Cup one day, so it would be intriguing to see him take charge of Great Britain and Ireland at some stage.