Rory McIlroy is a big fan of the United States of America.
McIlroy, who has kind of been the Chirper-in-Chief for the European side heading into the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York, values the United States and called it the "greatest country in the world" as he explained how he feels about his adopted home country.
"Everyone wanted to make it in America," McIlroy said in response to a question from Dan Rapaport. "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."
McIlroy has planted deep roots in the United States, even as he was born in Northern Ireland, plays for Ireland in the Olympics, lived in the United Arab Emirates earlier in life and now is a resident of the London area in England.
"I am unbelievably grateful and lucky that I got to come to America early on," he said. "I think success is celebrated here. I think there's a wonderful sense of work ethic. And yeah, 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."
While McIlroy lauds the USA, he still has been open the last two years about wanting to win another Ryder Cup on American soil as a member of the European dozen. He completed the career Grand Slam this year, and he'd like to win an Olympic gold medal in golf. Outside of those individual achievements, McIlroy has said a road Ryder Cup win would, in his eyes, complete his career.
"I've always said I'm proudest of my individual achievements in the game," he said. "But the most memorable moments and the most fun I've had in my career have been at Ryder Cup. So they are a little bit different.
"But I do think that, as I said, winning another away Ryder Cup, just considering how hard that has been over the past 12 years, it would be one of the greatest accomplishments of my career for sure."
