"He understands" Donald warns McIlroy to go easy on stag do ahead of Ryder Cup

"There's nothing wrong in going out and have some fun with your friends, but..." Luke Donald responds to learning Rory McIlroy is heading on a stag do before the Ryder Cup.

Andy Roberts

06 Sep 2023

"He understands" Donald warns McIlroy to go easy on stag do ahead of Ryder Cup — "He understands" Donald warns McIlroy to go easy on stag do ahead of Ryder…

Luke Donald has revealed Rory McIlroy "understands" a need to take things easy when on his mate's stag do a week before the start of the Ryder Cup in Rome, Italy.

McIlroy, 34, starts a warm favourite in the Irish Open at The K Club this week.

On Sunday night, he will then head over to Rome for a couple of days practice with Luke Donald's European Ryder Cup team.

Related: McIlroy makes latest PIF-PGA claim - "It's true!"

He will then fly back over to London to compete in the DP World Tour's flagship BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Following that, he will then spend a few days over in Mykonos for a mate's bachelor party.

But McIlroy has already confirmed to Donald, 45, he will be a good boy on the stag do.

McIlroy said on Wednesday:

"I'm sensible when I need to be. 48 hours, nice little trip, and probably needed it as well, from here to practise in Rome next week to Wentworth. I get back into London on Wednesday evening and then four good days in London to practise and get myself ready to go to Rome."

Donald was then pressed by reporters whether he held any reservations about McIlroy potentially going large on a stag do a week before the Ryder Cup.

Donald explained he has already had a conversation with McIlroy about the upcoming bachelor party, and his message was simply to have fun but take it as easy as possible before the Ryder Cup.

Donald told the media on Wednesday:

"We spoke at his house maybe 10 days ago, just catching up with him and it did come up. Rory, it's not like Rory is 22 or 21. He understands. There's nothing wrong in going out and have some fun with your friends. But I think he's got wise enough shoulders to know that he won't go crazy, so no concerns there."

Several weeks ago the World No.2 was quizzed by reporters how heavy the trip to Mykonos might get, to which a smiling McIlroy replied:

"I have a few days to dry out before the Ryder Cup."

Should McIlroy rock up in Rome with a sore head, it might not be the worst thing.

Jon Rahm recently told a cracking story about he let loose and got drunk playing golf en route to shooting a round of 60, a week before going on to win The Masters.

So maybe that's the secret?!

If the Ryder Cup does go well for McIlroy, perhaps another trip to Mykonos beckons in the first week of April 2024.

Rory McIlroy's upcoming schedule:

Irish Open (September 7-10)
Ryder Cup practice (September 11-13)
BMW PGA (September 14-17)
Mate's Stag Do (September 18-21)
Ryder Cup (September 29-October 1)

How will McIlroy get on at the Ryder Cup? Will Europe beat USA? Will McIlroy win the Irish Open and / or the BMW PGA? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.

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