World number one Rory McIlroy against Ryder Cup with no cheering fans

Mar 5, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Rory Mcilroy hits his tee shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament at Bay Hill Club & Lodge. [Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports]

World number one Rory McIlroy has added his voice to the chorus of players opposed to the idea of playing this year’s Ryder Cup without spectators.

With the global golf season in chaos due to the coronavirus pandemic, the game’s administrators are running through a range of possible scenarios as they attempt to plot a path back to competition.

For organisers of the Ryder Cup, which is due to take place at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin from September 25-27, that has included studying whether the tournament could be played without fans.

PGA chief executive Seth Waugh revealed earlier this week that officials had looked at the possibility of creating a “virtual fan experience” for the fiercely competitive team clash between Europe and the United States.

Waugh, however, acknowledged that a Ryder Cup without spectators was “hard to imagine,” noting they were an integral part of the raucous and often febrile golfing spectacle.

McIlroy, speaking during an Instagram live event for sponsors TaylorMade, said he would rather see this year’s event delayed for a year than played before empty galleries.

“I have a pretty strong view on this. I get the financial implications for everyone involved -- there’s a lot that goes into putting on the Ryder Cup that people don’t probably know or appreciate -- but having a Ryder Cup without fans is not a Ryder Cup,” McIlroy said.

“For me I would much rather they delay it until 2021 than play it at Whistling Straits without fans. And that’s from a European going to America, knowing that I’m going to get abuse!”