Rory McIlroy playfully teased Tommy Fleetwood following Fleetwood’s recent success at the Ryder Cup and the Tour Championship. Fleetwood, who clinched his first PGA Tour victory and a staggering £8 million prize, was jokingly referred to by McIlroy during a post-Ryder Cup press conference. The banter occurred as McIlroy also addressed his wife’s Ryder Cup experience, expressing satisfaction at shutting down rowdy fans in New York.
During the press conference, Fleetwood, who had to putt after McIlroy’s shot, humorously commented on the shot not being as close as it seemed. McIlroy quickly quipped about Fleetwood being preoccupied with his FedEx Cup earnings.
Despite the light-hearted teasing, McIlroy commended captain Luke Donald and his teammates for their response to Team USA’s strong final-day performance. He praised Donald’s leadership and the collective effort of the team, emphasizing the pride he felt in being part of such a united group.
McIlroy highlighted the challenging week they faced but underscored the importance of team success over individual achievements in the Ryder Cup. He concluded by emphasizing that winning the Ryder Cup was a team effort and not about individual performances.
While McIlroy missed celebrating Fleetwood’s win in Georgia, standing alongside him in New York with the rest of Team Europe helped alleviate the challenges of the week. He emphasized that being part of the Ryder Cup transcends personal accomplishments, embodying a shared mission to bring honor to the sport.