Weeks Ahead of Ryder Cup Showdown in Rome, Rory McIlroy Wins the Favor of American Legend Charles Barkley: ‘I Don’t Pull For Teams’

The Ryder Cup is hovering over the golf world. It will commence in the last week of September in Rome. And the golf community anxiously awaits captain Zach Johnson’s pick for Team USA. Amid this, NBA legend American Charles Barkley is rooting for an Irishman Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy is currently playing at the Tour Championship in Atlanta. The crowning event of the FedEx Cup playoffs will also mark the culmination of the PGA tour season. However, he is struggling with a back injury while defending the $75 Million title.

Charles Barkley and Rory McIlroy hit it off in Atlanta

The NBA legend is a golf enthusiast himself. Even though his golf career hasn’t taken shape like his basketball career, he remains as passionate as ever. And that love brought him to the East Lake Golf Club course in Atlanta – the destination of the Tour Championship.

He was hanging out at the CBS interview set when Rory McIlroy finished his round 3 at the tour. Barkley started a conversation with the four-time major winner. The PGA Tour’s official Twitter handle posted a snippet of that interaction.

During that conversation, Barkley let go of his American roots and said to the Irishman: “Good luck at the Ryder Cup.”

The comment made Rory McIlroy stop in his tracks and ask him, “You mean that? Do you really mean that?” 

And the next thing you know, Barkley explained how he chooses whom to support. “I really mean that. Hey, I don’t pull for teams, I pull for guys like yourself.”

The PGA Tour’s Twitter handle captioned the post, “When Charles Barkley and Rory McIlroy meet up, it’s must-see TV.”

In Atlanta, McIlroy in his round 3 shot 1-over 71. Barkley also joked with him about his injury. He told him that Rory’s speed looked phenomenal on the field. And that he thinks the Irishman is faking the injury.

One sports person supporting the other is what makes these matches much more enjoyable at times.

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Charles Barkley turned cheerleader for Rory McIlroy ahead of the Ryder Cup. Zach Johnson might not find the news delightful. He is yet to announce his picks for the team. Furthermore, it keeps the golf world on edge.

Zach Johnson will announce his captain’s pick in a couple of days

Team USA and Europe will face each other at Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome. While Zach Johnson is leading the former, Luke Donald is prepping the latter. The two ways to qualify for the Ryder Cup are automatic qualifiers and the captain’s pick.

Many players have already marked their places in the teams. And the rest is in the hands of the captains. Johnson will announce in August last week, and Donal will wait till September’s first week. However, Rory McIlroy is a promising name etched in Team Europe.

European dominance is quite real in America regarding the Ryder Cup. The states have not won the tournament consecutively since 1993. However, having won the cup in 2021, the American players are now vying for another feat in Rome to repeat the two-decades-old story.

How do you decide whom to support? And which team are you cheering for, or is it a player? Tell us in the comments section.

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