McIlroy says Europe silenced critics with class in Ryder Cup victory
Rory McIlroy called for more respect in golf, saying the Ryder Cup should unite fans, not divide them.
PGA
The competition will take place at Trump National Golf Club Jupiter, home to many of the participating golfers.
Rory McIlroy’s preparation for the Optum Golf Channel Games has been limited, as it has for all participants taking part in the made-for-TV event being compared to skills contests held at All-Star games for the traditional team sports.
But one trick shot he had to make recently while doing a shoot for TaylorMade Golf — which may or may not help him at the Golf Channel Games — had him as nervous as he’s been “in a long time.”
McIlroy, the Jupiter resident, was asked to hit a flop shot … over Tiger Woods.
“His body is already (bound) up, I didn’t want to add to it,” McIlroy said about the 15-time major champion from Jupiter Island who is recovering from disc replacement and Achilles surgery, both in 2025.
So how did it go?
“We did OK,” McIlroy said. “He lived another day.”
Probably would have heard if he hadn’t.
Expect similar entertainment for the games on Dec. 17 at Trump National Golf Club Jupiter that will feature two four-man teams captained by the top two golfers in the world: Scottie Scheffler and McIlroy.
Being billed as a combination of the NFL Combine, NBA 3-point competition and MLB Home Run Derby, the golfers will showcase their long-game, short-game and putting skills, but with challenges that will make this something never seen.
“Just the opportunity to showcase our game in a different way,” McIlroy said. “Scottie and I have been a part of some of these matches before. They’re great and hopefully they’re providing some entertainment but this is an opportunity to do something different and lean into other sports in a way.
“It’s a chance to try something new, try something different.”
McIlroy will captain Shane Lowry, Luke Donald and Haotong Li. Lowry and Donald also live in Jupiter.
Scheffler’s team has Keegan Bradley of Jupiter, Sam Burns and Luke Clanton.
“It’s going to be a fun way to compete at the end of the year for us at a time where there’s not a ton of stuff on the golf calendar,” Scheffler said. “It’s a really fun way to still get out there and compete.”
The challenges include a Timed-Drive Competition, Timed Short-Game Competition, 14-Club Challenge between two players and one bag, Timed Shootout over four holes with the four players stationed a different spots on the hole and Captain’s Challenge between McIlroy and Scheffler.
“The clock will definitely be a factor in the games,” Scheffler said. “That’s something we’re definitely not used to. I’m one of the guys that likes to operate on my own pace in my own little world. It will be fun to interact and have fun as the competition evolves and try to beat the clock.”
And that’s why they call it the “silly season.”
Rory McIlroy, others competing in their hometown
For McIlroy and the other Palm Beach County residents, the event is another that takes place in their hometown, along with TGL — the tech-infused golf league created by McIlroy and the man he was careful not to injure, Woods — and other made for TV creations held at The Medalist in Hobe Sound, Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, The Park in West Palm Beach and recently Panther National in Palm Beach Gardens.
“There’re so many players that live in the area and there’s also so many great facilities we can use to do some of these things,” McIlroy said. “It’s definitely an advantage to be here.”
And the Golf Channel Games have a Ryder Cup component with three from each side having been a part of Europe’s victory over the U.S. at Bethpage Black in New York in September, including team captains McIlroy and Scheffler, Ryder Cup captains Donald and Bradley and Lowry and Burns.
“Rory and I both love to compete,” Scheffler said. “Something like this gives us the opportunity to be more of ourselves. When you get into more tournament golf, it’s a lot more serious. There will be a lot more interaction between the two teams. I think it will be a lot more fun and more interesting than just your typical matches.
“But at end of day, Rory and I both want to win the competition.”
Although Europe won its second straight Ryder Cup, Scheffler defeated McIlroy, 1-up, in singles. It was McIlroy’s lone loss in five matches.
“Scottie got me in the singles so it would nice to get him back,” McIlroy said.
The Golf Channel Games will begin at 7:30 p.m., and will be broadcast live nationally on Golf Channel and USA Network.
Tom D’Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
