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Rory McIlroy is keen to shift conversation of last month’s team golf event from the dominant theme of unruly spectators to the amazing strength of Europe’s show.

Consecutive Wins for the European Squad

The European captain and his squad secured back-to-back Ryder Cup wins after building what turned out to be an unassailable position within the first two of the event’s three days.

Fan Conduct Overshadowing the Event

The main focus for the host venue, though, has been disgraceful fan conduct; particularly directed at Rory McIlroy. McIlroy’s wife was struck by a thrown beverage thrown from the galleries at a certain moment, with McIlroy himself facing verbal attacks throughout.

“I’ve been following the storyline following the team event just like everyone else,” said the Northern Irishman. “Unfortunately, I think it takes away from what we focused on, which was what an incredible performance it was by the European team.”

Rory’s Effort to Shift the Narrative

His comeback to the tournament scene, this week at the India Championship, has seen him aim to redirect discussion. “As I’m playing, I’m concentrating on trying to win my point. You see that the other guys are performing well or they are excelling but you don’t realise how impressive their play was.

“So recently, being able to watch the recap and observe, particularly those first two days, in the foursomes and the fourballs how dominant the squad were. The Americans would hit it close, we landed even nearer. The U.S. sinks a putt and we respond with one of our own. It happened every single time.”

Remembering the Ryder Cup for the Right Reasons

“The regrettable aspect is people are forgetting that and they are remembering the week for the wrong reason. I would like to change the focus and highlight how impressive the squad were and how honored I was to be part of that team to secure an away Ryder Cup.”

The Sport’s Challenge: Tradition vs. Growth

In the immediate aftermath of the victory, McIlroy insisted the sport should be proud to demand high standards from competitors and fans. Many feel this creates a challenge as it aims to attract youngsters.

“You shouldn’t make your sport to be unwelcoming to newcomers,” he continued. “I absolutely get that. But you also don’t want new fans entering the game and ruining centuries of traditions and values of what this game stands for or what it upholds. I think there has to be a balance.

“I certainly think that the sport can expand but it can develop where the people that are coming into the game still respect and acknowledge that this is a unique than maybe different athletic events. I often mention stateside, golf doesn’t need to be the football. It isn’t meant to be these other sports. Golf is golf, and that’s fine.”

Expanding the Game the Right Way

“I’d welcome more people to watch golf. That would be amazing. But I would be more interested in getting more people to take up golf, and I think when individuals participate, then they understand and they can acknowledge what the sport is, what it represents, and the necessary etiquette and the standards that you need to adhere to when you engage in golf.”

European Squad Together Again in Delhi

McIlroy has fellow squad members Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland for company on his first trip to the tournament. Donald is also in the lineup, with the Englishman yet to decide whether he wants to captain Europe for what would be a third time, at Adare Manor in the future event.

“I think what Luke Donald has done the last two Ryder Cups has transformed the captaincy within Team Europe,” stated McIlroy. “The effort and the commitment that he has devoted to the recent period, it’s been truly remarkable.”