Photo by Nathan Nedley:
There are a lot of ways that the world’s top golfers can prepare for the biggest tournament of their lives. But attending a wild night out probably isn’t one of them, or at least it isn’t normal. However, that will be how the world number two Rory McIlroy will be getting ready for this year’s Ryder Cup after the news broke that the Northern Irishman is going to be attending a stag party weekend immediately prior to the illustrious golf tournament getting underway.
Right before the showdown later this month McIlroy will be heading to Mykonos, Greece for a weekend abroad drinking with the fellas as part of a friend’s stag party. We will find out before long whether or not this is a wise way to prepare for the biannual event and if this unorthodox approach pays off for Team Europe.
McIlroy, a critical member of the European team, has known about the party for quite some time and might well take things easy during the celebrations. He will be making the trip to the med after this week’s Horizon Irish Open in Straffan Co. Kildare and next week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, Surrey, which should leave just about enough before Ryder Cup week. If not, he will need to unwind, relax and recuperate at a top Hotel Mykonos. The player has pledged to be “sensible” but did admit that he could well need “a few days to dry out” after the party.
Back Injury
The 34-year-old is close to getting back to full fitness following a back injury and has informed the Team Europe captain for 2023 Luke Donald that he has nothing to worry about and will be ready to go when it’s time to get swinging away.Luke Donald himself seems pretty relaxed about the situation and doesn’t seem to be too worried about burnout from his star man.
A little rest and relaxation have never hurt anyone and it’s possible that a drink or two by the pool and an enjoyable weekend with his mates is precisely what the European kingpin requires in order to be in the best possible mindset for the Ryder Cup.
Donald admitted that the issue did crop up but has complete trust in the highest-ranking member of his team, understanding that Rory is not 22 or 21 and can be trusted to be responsible and that there is nothing wrong in going out and having some fun with your friends.
Out For Revenge
McIlroy is a vital piece of the Team Europe machine as it tries to extract revenge on the US for its most recent 19-9 defeat at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin. He has been involved in many memorable outings, which includes four wins out of his six Ryder Cup appearances, so he definitely knows what it takes and how to get things done.
The Americans, on the other hand, will take any semblance of a break that they can get and will be hoping that McIlroy’s trip to Greece will take its toll on the Northern Irishman. Team USA have not won on European soil since 1993. Maybe it is time for Zach Johnson and his crew to help with the Mykonos stag party’s bar tab or perhaps even hire out a ringer to keep sending tequila shots over from a nearby table.
The 2023 Ryder Cup will get underway on Friday 29 Sept 2023 running for three days until Sunday 1 Oct 2023. The two-team tournament will be held at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia Montecelio near Rome, the first the competition will have been held in Italy.