Rory McIlroy adamant Europe’s Ryder Cup hopes unaffected by missing LIV players ahead of Tour Championship

Rory McIlroy is confident the absence of LIV golfers won’t impact Team Europe’s chances of reclaiming the Ryder Cup in Rome.

McIlroy has previously made it clear he doesn’t think LIV players should be part of Luke Donald’s team, and insists Europe’s cause won’t be affected by their omission.

“I don’t think it would make a difference for us,” McIlroy said ahead of this weekend’s Tour Championship.

The Northern Irishman is going for a record fourth FedEx Cup win at East Lake and starts the staggered $18m finale three shots behind leader and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

McIlroy was one of the most outspoken critics of the Saudi-backed LIV circuit after its inception in June of last year but admits he has now become less “emotionally invested” in the sport’s governance and welcomed the chance to put all of his focus back into on-course matters.

“I think last year, I was probably energised by everything that was going on in the world of golf. I felt like we were maybe in a bit more of a state of flux,” he added.

“I sat up here at this table this day last year talking about designated events and getting all the best players to play together and all that stuff.

“I remember this time last year being on a board call at 7.30 in the morning on the Tuesday trying to get all that stuff ratified and get it passed through the board.

“I’ve been able to focus a little bit more just on golf and my game and even able to take two days at home between Chicago and here, getting to spend some time with the girls. That’s been really nice.

“[I’m] maybe less emotionally involved. Last year it was to do with how can we make the product of the PGA Tour better and I think I was really invested in that.

“So when it comes to, like, governance and investment and all that, it’s not that I don’t care about it, but it doesn’t excite me as much as making the product better and how can we make this the most competitive landscape to play professional golf and how can we get all the best players to play together.

“I’m on the board and I have to be involved and whenever something’s brought to the table I’ll vote on it yes or no. But, yeah, maybe just not as emotionally engaged on all of this other stuff.”