Rory McIlroy’s Honest Revelation on What He Thinks About America Sparks Fans’ Reactions

The 2025 Ryder Cup is gearing up for quite the reception, with Rory McIlroy himself expecting a tough atmosphere. American fans are already showing up and making their presence felt during the practice rounds. But you know, in a surprising twist beyond just tournament competition, the Northern Irishman has really shown how much he values his personal ties to the country he now considers home.

On X, Kyle Porter reported that when McIlroy was asked about his childhood views of America and how they’ve shifted after spending years there, his answer was enthusiastic and clear-cut. “Everyone wanted to make it in America. It’s the land of opportunity. And I still believe it’s the best country in the world, and if you come here and work hard and dedicate yourself, you can be or do whatever you want,” he said.

He shared his deep appreciation for the chances he got at the start of his career, highlighting how much he admires the American way of celebrating success and the strong work ethic in the country.

Loved all of this from Rory. pic.twitter.com/zzYhVSdUnL

— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterNS) September 25, 2025

McIlroy talked about how important his family life is to him, saying, “I live here. My wife is American. My daughter is American. I have a lot of affinity towards this country, and I think everyone that lives here should have that same affinity because it is, it’s a wonderful — it is a wonderful place.”

McIlroy’s compliments about America seem aimed at closing that gap, directly tapping into the American spirit of patriotism and fair play to help ease the home-crowd advantage that his rivals got. But when the American fans found out about this, they really took a liking to the Northern Irishman.

A lot of hearts were won by Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy’s statement just before the Ryder Cup definitely caught the attention of many American fans. It seems like one fan really captured it all when they said, “Playing both sides. Smart man.” This fan really appreciates his words, saying, “It takes a lot to like a foreign land over your own. This should mean a lot to us.” However, this fan said, “He’s trying to kill us with kindness!”

So, the European team, with Rory McIlroy at the helm, is gearing up to take on Team USA and the notoriously passionate crowd in New York. The atmosphere is definitely charged, with players getting ready for what might be the most intense crowd we’ve seen at this event. Furthermore, the golfer himself  took a moment to recognize the crowd, saying, “It’s inevitable something is going to happen in New York.” 

Well, surely, the Northern Irishman can be someone to look up to, as English golfer Ian Poulter once said, “Playing with somebody like Rory, having somebody that you kind of look up to from a perspective of what he’s been able to accomplish within the game of golf, far superior in game than obviously what I had, kind of helped me because I could relax. I could literally know that I’ve always got someone to fall back on.”

However, it seems like McIlroy’s clever wordplay is really hitting home, as one fan expressed, “Damnit! Making it hard to root against him.” Another fan noticed all the nice things the golfer said about the US, saying, “He’s a real one for that.” McIlroy’s kind words about America have really helped ease the tension at the tough Bethpage course. By focusing on gratitude instead of playing games, he’s really made it tough for fans to see him as the bad guy.

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