Rory McIlroy bangs table and gets applause from press for bold 2025 Ryder Cup prediction

Published: 20:12, 1 Oct 2023Updated: 20:20, 1 Oct 2023

Rory McIlroy has boldly declared that Europe will win the 2025 Ryder Cup on American soil.

The Northern Irishman was the leading point-scorer as the Europeans regained the Ryder Cup in Rome with a 16½-11½ victory over the USA.

McIlroy had an axe to grind on SundayCredit: Getty

McIlroy was also at the centre of a huge story off the course as footage captured a furious row with the Americans over caddie Joe LaCava’s questionable behaviour in his match on Saturday.

Having said that incident lit the fire to inspire him and Europe on Sunday, it appears the 34-year-old has enough fuel to burn for two years.

Speaking at the victorious press conference, McIlroy said: “I’ve said it for six or seven years to anyone who will listen, one of the biggest accomplishments in golf right now is winning an away Ryder Cup.

“And that’s what we’re going to do at Bethpage.”

Europe’s victory confirmed the USA’s wait for a win on foreign soil will extend beyond 30 years.

Meanwhile, Europe have only won once in America over the last 19 years, and required a record-breaking comeback on Sunday at Medinah in 2012 to do so.

Home advantage in the Ryder Cup is huge: not only because of a loud, partisan crowd in a quiet sport – but because the hosts get to control everything from set-up to order of events.

McIlroy’s prediction was, therefore, massive – and he banged the table along with his teammates after he said it.