Rory McIlroy sent a message of encouragement to the players representing Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup, which is being played this weekend at Cypress Point Club in California.
In his remarks, McIlroy not only encouraged the players, but also demonstrated that his thoughts are fully focused on the upcoming Ryder Cup and that he has no shortage of confidence in winning.
McIlroy’s message was reported by NBC Sports’ Brentley Romine, who added that the Northern Irishman conveyed it to the GB&I Walker Cup team this Friday through a roughly one-minute video clip.
“As someone who played a Walker Cup and wasn’t able to quite get it done, and then to go on to play Ryder Cups and be able to beat the Yanks in their own backyard, nothing feels better,” McIlroy said. “Please beat them because I know we’re going to beat them at Bethpage.”
Last night before the start of the #WalkerCup, the GB&I team were sent a lengthy video from Rory McIlroy.“As someone who played a Walker Cup and wasn’t able to quite get it done, and then to go on to play Ryder Cups and be able to beat the Yanks in their own backyard, nothing… pic.twitter.com/khOqzpZhQV
— Brentley Romine (@BrentleyGC) September 6, 2025
The European team will head to the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black as defending champions, having won two years ago at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. However, the Europeans have not won on American soil for more than 10 years, specifically since 2012, when they triumphed sensationally at Medinah.
The Walker Cup began Saturday with four foursomes matches, followed by eight singles matches. On Sunday, four more foursomes matches will be played, followed by 10 singles matches to decide the winner.
The first two points of the event were captured by Great Britain and Ireland. In the first match, Connor Graham and Tyler Weaver defeated Americans Jackson Koivun and Tommy Morrison 3 and 1. A few minutes later, Charlie Forster and y Luke Poulter beat Stewart Hagestad and Ben James for 3 and 2.
The Walker Cup pits teams comprised of the top 10 male amateur players from the United States and Great Britain and Ireland against each other. The event has been held since 1922, and Europeans have only won eight editions, most recently in 2015.
McIlroy participated in the 2007 Walker Cup, which was played at Royal County Down Golf Club in his native Northern Ireland. The now-career Grand Slammer 1 1/2 points in four matches, as his team lost 12.5 to 11.5.
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