Justin Rose has thrown his full support behind Rory McIlroy ahead of what promises to be a fiery Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, insisting Europe’s talisman can handle any hostility from the American crowd.
McIlroy has never shied away from confrontation in golf’s most intense contest and arrives in New York with the same combative energy that saw him clench his fists and shout “this is my f***ing house” during Europe’s victory in Rome two years ago.
The Masters champion has already raised eyebrows this week, calling Patrick Cantlay “a d**k” and dismissing Bryson DeChambeau as an “attention grabber.”
As a result, he was booed on Wednesday when he rocked up for promotional work at Bethpage Black.
Some observers have suggested that McIlroy risks turning himself into a target.
But Rose — who is making his seventh Ryder Cup appearance — believes the Northern Irishman is perfectly equipped to thrive with the bullseye on his back.
“Rory is very comfortable with himself,” Rose said.
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Justin Rose has thrown his full support behind Rory McIlroy ahead of what promises to be a fiery Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, insisting Europe’s talisman can handle any hostility from the American crowd
|GETTY
“He has thick skin. If he says something he believes and it is not taken in the right way, he’s happy to call it as he sees it. He has the freedom to roll with it.”
Rose, a former Olympic champion and one of Europe’s most consistent Ryder Cup performers, added that McIlroy has the rare ability to separate the noise from his golf.
“What he says doesn’t bleed into his game — that’s an amazing talent,” Rose said.
Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy battled it out at the Masters earlier this year
| REUTERS“He plays incredibly freely, and he can tiptoe that line better than most.”
The Englishman knows what it takes to win on American soil, having played a crucial role in the Miracle at Medinah in 2012, and believes McIlroy’s intensity could provide the spark Europe need to retain the trophy.
McIlroy is set for his eighth Ryder Cup appearance, while Rose is bidding for his fifth victory in seven attempts.
After missing out on Padraig Harrington’s team in 2021, the 45-year-old has enjoyed a resurgence, finishing runner-up to Xander Schauffele at The Open and pushing McIlroy to a play-off at Augusta earlier this year.
Rose has embraced his role as one of Europe’s elder statesmen but insists he is not simply in New York to provide wisdom.
“I want to contribute in the greatest way possible, which is by earning points,” he said.
Rory McIlroy is part of the Team Europe side preparing to do battle with Team USA at the Ryder Cup
| GETTY“Being a leader means being the best version of yourself and leading by example.”
He may not have played foursomes in Rome, but Rose was a key partner for rookie Robert MacIntyre in the fourballs, combining for a half-point against Max Homa and Wyndham Clark on day one before defeating Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth on day two.
If McIlroy is Europe’s emotional leader, Rose remains one of their most dependable points machines — boasting a 75 per cent win rate in foursomes across his Ryder Cup career.
Together, they will look to silence the New York crowd and inspire Europe to a first away win since 2012.