Some might call it either AI or a form of unsettling surveillance.
As Team USA prepares for the Ryder Cup, they’re drawing some laughs thanks to an official Ralph Lauren T-shirt that seems to resemble golfer Rory McIlroy.
European golfers from Northern Ireland couldn’t help but chuckle at the $65 shirt.
“It resembles Adam Scott more than me, but sure, it’s somewhat close,” McIlroy remarked to Sky Sports. “I’m not sure.”
When prompted about his thoughts on Team USA donning a shirt featuring a silhouette, he humorously stated, “It’s fine; it doesn’t bother me.”
The silhouette captures what looks like the distinctive finish of McIlroy’s swing.
Once the tournament kicks off at the Beth Page Black Course in Farmingdale, New York, onlookers are bound to see it numerous times.
Team USA will include Scotty Schaeffler, the world’s top player, along with teammates Russell Henry, Bryson DeChambeau, Harris English, Justin Thomas, Ben Griffin, Patrick Cantlay, and Sam Burns.
On the other side, Team Europe, the 2023 champions, will feature McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, and others.
McIlroy seems mentally prepared for what he anticipates will be a rowdy American crowd.
“I watched some of Novak Djokovic’s match last night against Taylor Fritz at the U.S. Open,” McIlroy mentioned last week. Djokovic handled the crowd like a pro, whether playing against Americans in New York or facing off against legends like Federer and Nadal.
“He touched on that type of experience in Rome, so maybe we can learn from that and harness that energy effectively. But ultimately, we can only manage our own reactions and feelings.”
Heading into this 45th Ryder Cup, Team USA boasts 27 victories compared to Team Europe’s 15.
