Rory McIlroy has defended Sergio Garcia\u2019s right to pull out of this week\u2019s Amgen Irish Open, although he admitted he does not fully understand the reasons behind the Spaniard’s decision.<\/p>\n
Garcia was slated to make his second DP World Tour<\/a> appearance of the season at The K Club, but he withdrew earlier this week after missing out on a place in the European Ryder Cup<\/a> team for Bethpage.<\/p>\n In a GolfMagic exclusive, the 2017 Masters champion said he \u201cwould not be fully engaged\u201d<\/a> on playing at the Irish Open as he dealt with the disappointment of not being a part of Luke Donald\u2019s team in any capacity.<\/p>\n Not that he\u2019s laying low.\u00a0<\/p>\n The 45-year-old was spotted in the stands at the US Open on Tuesday watching his fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who cruised into the semi-finals before revealing he would be playing golf with Garcia<\/a> ahead of his last-four clash against Novak Djokovic.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n \u201cHe was supposed to be here,\u201d said McIlroy<\/a>, who served as a groomsman for Garcia at his wedding in 2017. \u201cIt would have been great for the tournament if Sergio played.”<\/p>\n But when asked if he understood why Garcia had pulled out, he added: \u201cNo, I don’t. Obviously he was trying to keep himself sharp, I guess, if he did get a pick. But look, he has the right to enter and pull out of whatever tournaments he wants to.<\/p>\n \u201cLuke has assembled a very strong 12 players, and I think it’s the right 12 players. I’m sure Sergio is disappointed, but at the same time, I’m sure he wishes Europe well.\u201d<\/p>\n European captain Donald understands Garcia’s disappointment at not having the chance to extend his record Ryder Cup points tally, although he hinted that the Spaniard’s schedule did not help his cause.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n \u201cI think Sergio\u2019s disappointed like all of the others that felt like they might have a chance to make the team,” said Donald. \u201cI don\u2019t tell people what to do with their schedules unless it\u2019s really close.\u00a0<\/p>\n “He fully understands that the Irish was after the qualification finish, after the team was picked. Unfortunately with Sergio I just felt like his form just wasn\u2019t quite good enough to make the team that was full of so many people playing well.\u201d<\/p>\n McIlroy, a winner at The K Club in a memorable finish in 2016, has a busy few weeks ahead as he spearheads the fields at the Irish Open and next week\u2019s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth<\/a> before he heads to New York for the Ryder Cup.<\/p>\n