Ahead of the Ryder Cup, two lads of the European team are already basking in the patriotic spirit. But with an oval ball. Irishman Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry were spotted at Rugby World Cup 2023, supporting their homeland, Ireland, who was playing against South Africa.

Golf’s biggest event will commence this Friday. While Team USA looks to end a 30-year-old losing streak on foreign soil, Team Europe will attempt to redeem itself after a drubbing in 2021. Amid all this, the Irish golfers are busy finding their potential places on the rugby team.

Rory McIlroy thinks Jon Rahm will be a fit for Rugby

Retired rugby star Jim Hamilton caught up with the Ryder Cup teammates before the Ireland vs. South Africa match. He wanted to know where the two golfers would stand in the line-up of the Irish team. Rugby World Cup posted a video about it on Twitter.

While Hamilton put Rory McIlroy in the center, Shane Lowry wanted the four-time major winner at the scrum-half near himself. But the rugby champ suggested that Lowry will probably be on the front row. Amid the disagreements, Jon Rahm was one player everyone agreed upon.

The four-time major champion said, “Jon Rahm could get a game. Jon Rahm’s a big guy. He’ll be at the back row. He’s a big lad, probably weighs 110 kilos.” Rory McIlroy believes in his Spanish teammate’s capabilities as a rugby player. Do you?

Ireland eventually beat South Africa at the Rugby World Cup in Paris with a splendid score of 13-8. Stade de France was echoing the celebrations of 30,000 Irishmen, basking in the glory of their country’s win. Both players had a great time but now the Ryder Cup challenge awaits them.

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Luke Donald has other plans ahead of the Ryder Cup

Jon Rahm, ahead of the patriotic event, misses his compatriot Spaniard Sergio Garcia. Rahm will appear in his third Ryder Cup.  And Rory McIlroy will make his seventh appearance at the biennial event. Rahm and McIlroy are two of the biggest names on Team Europe. However, in a shocking update, Luke Donald might bench now and then his two best players and the golf world’s favorites.

The decision comes considering the rising temperatures at the Marco Simone golf course, which can exhaust players a lot. So Rahm and McIlroy won’t be seen in action in every session, meaning they will be used judiciously by Luke Donald.

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