After Rory McIlroy secured more glory in this unforgettable golf season, the Northern Irishman had a message for his Ryder Cup rivals ahead of its start
Rory McIlroy warned the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau “we’re not finished yet” after he added the Amgen Irish Open to his 2025 trophy cabinet. McIlroy, 36, secured the title at the K Club in dramatic circumstances.
As he did when he secured the career Grand Slam by winning the Masters, the Northern Irishman secured the first prize on the play-offs, this time overcoming Joakim Lagergren. McIlroy made an extraordinary 30-foot putt to eagle on the final hole and draw level with Lagergren.
He then birdied all three of the extra holes to win his home international for the second time in his career. It was the perfect momentum builder for McIlroy, who will carry Team Europe’s hopes of winning the Ryder Cup on his shoulders at Bethpage Black.
Not that he will be phased by the pressure. As he waxed lyrical about his display in front of his ecstatic home fans, McIlroy made it clear his unforgettable year is not over yet.
Looking ahead to the Ryder Cup, McIlroy had an ice-cold message for Team USA. He simply said: “We’re not finished yet.”
He also added: “To do what I did earlier in the year and then to come home and win my national open, no matter what happens for the rest of the year, that’s a pretty cool year. 2025 is going to go down as one of the best, if not the best of my career.
“As I said, we’re not finished yet. I’ve got a big week next week at Wentworth and then obviously everyone’s looking forward to the Ryder Cup.
“I’m just so happy my game’s in good shape. I feel like I’m playing well. Excited for what’s coming up.”
The victory at the K Club would have been the perfect tonic for McIlroy, who initially struggled with his form after winning the Masters. The year began in impressive fashion for the five-time major winner, as he won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Players Championship, before his emotional triumph at Augusta.
However, he only finished in the top 10 in one of his next five competitions. Within this poor run, he registered a humiliating T47 finish at the PGA Championship, missed the cut at the Canadian Open and endured a lacklustre T17 finish at the US Open.
His performance in the Irish Open will come as a huge relief to Team Europe captain Luke Donald, who will be relying on McIlroy to come good in New York. McIlroy will be playing alongside automatic picks Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrell Hatton, Rasmus Hojgaard and Robert MacIntyre, as well as captain’s picks Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick.
McIlroy will also be competing at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, before turning his attention to the Ryder Cup. The latter begins on Friday September 26, before climaxing on September 28.
Europe will be up against Scheffler, DeChambeau, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley and Harris English, who are the automatic picks, while Keegan Bradley selected Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns as his captain’s picks.