Team USA have been left red-faced after their official Ryder Cup merchandise appeared to feature a silhouette of Rory McIlroy.
The Ralph Lauren T-shirt, which is priced on their website at US$65 ($110), is listed as having a “bold golfer graphic” with the words “USA Ryder Cup 2025” on thefront to commemorate this month’s tournament at Bethpage Black in New York.
While the price will raise eyebrows, it is, however, the golfer used in the design which has drawn attention as it bears a striking resemblance to McIlroy and his signature high-finish follow-through pose with a driver.
The topic of the T-shirt has been raised in the locker room on Tour with many convinced it is the European grand slam winner, with one insider claiming: “That certainly looks like Rory. Everyone here thinks it is.”
However, McIlroy, himself, was unsure when asked by Telegraph Sport at Wentworth on Tuesday. “It could be Adam Scott,” he said. Scott, of course, is Australian.
Of the Americans, Scottie Scheffler would be the obvious choice as the outstanding male player of 2025, although McIlroy has pushed him close. The 36-year-old, who will be playing for Europe in his eighth consecutive Ryder Cup at Bethpage, won the Masters to become only the sixth man to complete golf’s holy grail of winning all four majors as well as winning the Players’ Championship and the Irish Open last week.
“Rory even inspires the American team. The PGA America probably did not use any of their own players because they would have demanded to be paid for it,” a Tour source joked.
Rory McIlroy hits a drive during the third round of Wells Fargo Championship last year. Photo / Getty Images
Players on Team USA will be paid for the first time in the Ryder Cup’s 98-year history with the 12 Americans each receiving £400,000 ($912,485), with £240,000 being donated to charity after a deal was agreed with the PGA of America.
It comes after Patrick Cantlay’s decision to not wear a hat during the 2023 contest in Rome was reported to be a protest for not being paid to participate.
The T-shirt is part of the collection for this year’s tournament with the American clothing giant kitting out all of Keegan Bradley’s players.
After losing out in Rome in 2023, Team USA will be attempting to win back the Ryder Cup on home soil when play gets under way on September 26, while Europe will be looking to become the first team to win away from home since 2012.
McIlroy will be playing alongside 10 of his European team-mates and captain Luke Donald at this week’s BMW PGA Championship on the West Course, while 10 of Bradley’s side will be warming up by playing in the Procore Championship in California.
