Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images

Wagner says Rory McIlroy should team up with Justin Rose at Ryder Cup

Originally posted on HITC | By Jordan Harris | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 10:31 AM ET

Rory McIlroy put together his strongest Ryder Cup showing to date in Rome, picking up four points for Luke Donald’s side at Marco Simone.

Donald will know that if Europe are going to have any chance of coming away with a win at Bethpage later this month, players like McIlroy and Jon Rahm will need to make their presence felt.

Rahm has formed what looks to be a reliable partnership with Tyrrell Hatton. But McIlroy has yet to find a consistent teammate during his time in the competition.

The 36-year-old picked up two points alongside Tommy Fleetwood in Rome, while he and Matthew Fitzpatrick were responsible for Europe’s only Friday afternoon win.

Johnson Wagner names the European player he would love to see Rory McIlroy alongside at the Ryder Cup

With Europe returning 11 of the 12 players from their 2023 win, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see McIlroy paired with Fleetwood and Fitzpatrick again. But there may be another option worth considering.

Speaking on 5 Clubs, Johnson Wagner suggested that Donald could put together a formidable pairing by putting McIlroy with Justin Rose, the man he beat to win The Masters earlier this year.

Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images

“Rose is so valuable. We didn’t see Rose play with Nicolai Hojgaard last time. I see Justin Rose, I think when you’ve got the veteran leadership, I see them going out with younger players. It was Rose and Bobby Mac playing both sessions of fourballs at Marco Simone.

“So given the fact that Rose has played so many of these cups, you want him fostering that young stuff. I love looking at these teams from last time, how exacting they were, let me stick Rose out with MacIntyre, Rahm with Hojgaard, Hovland with Aberg. They’re setting those guys up for success, those young players with that experience.”

The long list of partners Rory McIlroy has had in his Ryder Cup career

Across his seven Ryder Cup appearances for Europe over the years, McIlroy has played alongside nine different teammates – and surprisingly enough his best partnership may not be who most would expect.

Pieters isn’t back in this year’s team but Fleetwood is expected to again feature alongside him at times throughout the event.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: