A graphic on a USA Ryder Cup T-shirt, depicting a golfer, has drawn comparisons to Rory McIlroy’s signature post-swing stance.
Rory McIlroy has commented on the silhouette featured on a Team USA Ryder Cup T-shirt, suggesting it “looks a little similar” to his own form.
The Ralph Lauren-designed T-shirt, priced at $65 (£48), is available through the official USA Ryder Cup online store ahead of the tournament at Bethpage Black in New York later this month.
Marketed as having a “bold golfer graphic,” the Daily Telegraph, external reports that figures within the European Tour are “convinced” the image is of McIlroy, citing his distinctive follow-through with a driver.
“It looks more like [Australian] Adam Scott than me but yeah, it looks a little similar, I don’t know,” McIlroy, a five-time major champion, told Sky Sports., external
The 36-year-old Northern Irishman is preparing for his eighth consecutive Ryder Cup appearance, representing Europe, having previously been on the winning side in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2023.
When asked about the potential for USA fans to wear a T-shirt that resembles him, McIlroy responded: “That’s OK. That’s fine. I won’t mind that.”
BBC Sport has contacted the PGA and Ralph Lauren for comment.
Separately, McIlroy has discussed plans to broaden his golfing horizons, inspired by advice from tennis icon Roger Federer.
The five-time major winner, who completed a career Grand Slam with his Masters victory this year, intends to be more selective in his tournament participation.
McIlroy is set to compete in India for the first time from October 16-19 and will return to the Australian Open in December, marking his first appearance in 11 years.
“I want to go and play in different places in the world and experience things that I haven’t experienced before, to be able to do things for the first time 18 years into a career,” McIlroy stated at a news conference.
“I had a chat with Roger Federer, I don’t know, a few years ago sort of, at the end of his career, and he was saying he wanted to go and play a lot of the places he could never play in his career, some of the smaller events, just because a lot of people had never seen him play tennis before.”
“I think as time goes on and I get to this stage of my career, I get excited about doing that sort of thing.”
McIlroy has yet to determine a retirement age, emphasizing his priority to maintain a fresh perspective rather than endure the rigors of the tour indefinitely.
He added: “I don’t want to be grinding out here at 50 years of age. I’ll turn up and play the majors and have a nice time, but whenever I’m done, I’m done, whenever that is.”
“I don’t want to name a tournament, but you’re going back to the same place, the same thing 15, 20 years in a row. It can get a little bit monotonous and a little bit tedious.”
“I want to play in the locations that I love to go to, and I want to play the majors and the Ryder Cup. That’s it.”
“I’ll obviously do my bit to make sure I keep my membership on certain tours but I’m going to play where I want to play.”