Rory McIlroy says USA is 'best country in the world' as Europe eyes Ryder Cup road win
Masters champion says he has affection for the United States ahead of Bethpage Black showdown
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Rory McIlroy is prepared to do everything possible to upset the United States as he competes for Europe at Bethpage Black in the Ryder Cup. The Masters champion will play in his eighth Ryder Cup and hopes to help Europe win on the road, a feat the team accomplished in 2012. He has described the United States as the best country in the world and said Americans’ work ethic and opportunities helped shape his view of the country.
McIlroy, a Northern Ireland native who now calls Hollywood, Florida, home, has been a fixture on the event since his Ryder Cup debut in 2010. The career Grand Slam winner is 5-2 in seven Ryder Cups and was part of the last European side to win away from home in 2012. He has repeatedly spoken about his affinity for the United States, calling it the land of opportunity and noting he lives in the U.S. with his American wife and daughter.
Practice rounds on Sept. 24, 2025, ahead of the team event, have underscored McIlroy's preparation as Europe seeks its first road win since 2012. The Ryder Cup is staged this week at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y., where McIlroy will be counted on as a veteran leader for a European squad hoping to turn the page on recent home-court dominance by the United States. The event's build comes as McIlroy balances the demands of majors and a Ryder Cup schedule that has established him as a steady point earner for Europe over the years.
Off the course, McIlroy has deep ties to the United States. He lives in Florida with his wife and daughter, and the family has become a visible part of his public identity as he balances major championships with Ryder Cup duties. His eight appearances, including the upcoming matches, have solidified him as one of Europe’s most reliable performers in the biennial event. The 2025 edition at Bethpage Black adds another chapter to a storied rivalry that has defined modern golf, with McIlroy at the center of Europe’s bid to capture an away victory.
As the weekend unfolds, the focus will remain on whether Europe can translate McIlroy’s leadership and experience into points on foreign soil, extending a tradition that has defined the Ryder Cup through generations of match-play drama.