Rory McIlroy takes hard line against LIV players at Ryder Cup: 'I've said it a hundred times'

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Rory McIlroy is certainly focused on keeping his perfect record in Italy ahead of this week’s Italian Open, but the decorated golfer is still thinking ahead to next year when he’ll return for the 2023 Ryder Cup.

And he’s not backing down on his position regarding LIV golf players and their potential to participate.

Speaking at a press conference Wednesday ahead of this week’s tournament at the Marco Simone golf course just outside Rome, the newly crowned 2022 FedEx Cup champion said he is not open to the idea of LIV Golf players being included on Ryder Cup teams. 

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland watches his shot on the sixth tee during the third round of the BMW Championship golf tournament at Wilmington Country Club Aug. 20, 2022, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

"I have said it once, I've said it a hundred times," McIlroy said. "I don't think any of those guys should be on the Ryder Cup team."

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Team Europe captain Luke Donald, meanwhile, is toeing the official tour line when he says he’s in "limbo" waiting for the conflict to be decided in the courts, but McIlroy has his sights set on a "rebuild." 

"The European team has a core of six or seven guys that I think we all know are pretty much going to be on that team, and then it’s up to some of the younger guys to maybe step up," McIlroy said. 

Team captain Lee Westwood of Majesticks GC plays a shot from the third tee during the LIV Golf Invitational - Bedminster at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster July 30, 2022, in Bedminster, N.J.  (Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via Getty Images)

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