The GB&I Walker Cup team received a powerful pre-match boost from Rory McIlroy just hours before their opening foursomes at Cypress Point. The Northern Irishman sent the squad a minute-long video message Friday evening as they prepare to pursue what would be just the third GB&I victory on American soil in the competition’s 50-year history.
McIlroy, who competed in the 2007 Walker Cup at Royal County Down but couldn’t secure a win for GB&I, connected his amateur experience to his later professional success.
“As someone who played a Walker Cup and wasn’t able to quite get it done, and then to go on to play Ryder Cups and be able to beat the Yanks in their own backyard, nothing feels better,” said McIlroy, who’s set to make his eighth Ryder Cup appearance at Bethpage Black later this month.
The message wasn’t subtle about his expectations. McIlroy closed with a confident declaration: “Please beat them because I know we’re going to beat them at Bethpage.”
There’s a strong Ryder Cup presence at Cypress Point this weekend. Ian Poulter, McIlroy’s teammate during Europe’s memorable 2012 Medinah comeback, is on site watching his son Luke compete for GB&I. On the American side, Matt Kuchar, who was part of that 2012 U.S. team that suffered the stunning Sunday defeat, is also attending as a spectator alongside his son Cameron, a TCU commit.
