Could Ryder Cup Fallout See McIlroy Play More in Europe?

The Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black was supposed to be a coronation for the Americans. They had the crowd, the major champions, and the comfort of home soil. Europe, meanwhile, were cast as underdogs who hadn’t won in the States since 2012, with most predictions leaning towards a straightforward US victory.

Ryder Cup Odds Swing

Even the Ryder Cup odds told the story before the first tee shot. At 4/6, the United States were firm favourites, with Europe priced as outsiders at 7/4. Yet, momentum shifted almost immediately. Europe’s 3–1 win in Friday’s foursomes was the first crack in the armour, and from there the betting odds moved with every session. By the close of play on Saturday, Donald’s men had stormed into an 11.5–4.5 lead, with Europe trading at around 1/200 in the golf betting markets to win the Ryder Cup; the kind of price that told its own story.

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6 Ryder Cups. 6 Wins. ???? pic.twitter.com/QdWfN64hph

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) October 6, 2025

Sunday’s singles produced an inspired surge from the Americans, but the contest had already slipped beyond them. Europe still crossed the line with relative comfort, silencing the home crowd and savouring a rare victory on US soil. For McIlroy, though, the memories of New York will stretch beyond the scoreline.

Fallout from New York

McIlroy should have been basking in that triumph as the players waited on the 18th green for the singles to end. Instead, he found himself dealing with unsavoury scenes from the gallery and cooling off in the sanctuary of the locker room at Bethpage. The four-time major winner admitted afterwards that he felt “angry and hurt” by what unfolded, a rare glimpse of vulnerability from a player usually so measured.

Tellingly, the PGA of America, normally hesitant to call out their own fans, promised an apology for some of the interactions he faced. But McIlroy’s words made it clear that the weekend left its mark. For a golfer already considering how to balance life between the US and Europe, Bethpage may have tipped the scales.

Back to Surrey

That’s because a move home was already in motion. McIlroy and his family are preparing to leave Jupiter, Florida, and base themselves in Surrey, where their £9 million Wentworth mansion has just completed a lengthy renovation. Erica McIlroy has spoken about looking forward to life back in England, and the timing could not feel more pointed.

Wentworth is more than just an address; it’s the course where McIlroy won the BMW PGA Championship in 2014 and where he still competes each year. His win at the Irish Open in September only underlined how at ease he looks competing in Europe. Cutting back on the PGA Tour would naturally free him to feature more often on the DP World Tour, deepening his connection with local crowds and keeping him battle-ready in the tournaments that matter most in Ryder Cup years.

Europe Calling

Bethpage was supposed to be about McIlroy leading Europe to another Ryder Cup win, and in many ways, it was.

But the atmosphere and the fallout may influence his future even more than the result. With his family relocating and his roots pulling him back towards Europe, the question is whether the PGA Tour remains his main stage, or if his focus begins to turn closer to home. A fuller DP World Tour schedule would not only give him more time on familiar courses but also reinforce his role as the heartbeat of the European team in the years to come.