McIlroy admits it will be weird without the LIV stars in the team
Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia were part of the European Ryder Cup team and all three were vital cogs for the European side, having played in 28 Ryder Cups between them combined.
Paul Casey, Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer and Henrik Stenson also played key parts in former Ryder Cup teams.
However, having to give up their DP World Tour membership when they moved to LIV Golf, they had been ruled ineligible for selection for the biennial Ryder Cup competition
Stenson who was due to captain Team Europe in 2023 was replaced by Luke Donald following his departure to LIV.
McIlroy admitted that the absence of the old guard will take some getting used to for him personally.
"They have always been there and it's going to be weird for me not to have those guys in the team room" said McIlroy in an interview with Golf Digest. This will be McIlroy seventh appearance in coming Ryder Cup competition.
In the absence of these veterans, captain Luke Donald has opted for a fresh team with Sepp Straka, Nicolai Hojgaard and Swedish sensation, Ludvig Aberg, all set to make their Ryder Cup debuts having been selected as captain's picks.
(Photo credit: Getty Images)
