Rory McIlroy hopes rebels will still be allowed to compete in the Ryder Cup

Rory McIlroy hopes the likes of European team-mate Sergio Garcia can still be involved in the Ryder Cup despite signing up for the LIV Golf Series (David Davies/PA)

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy hopes European team-mates Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood can still be involved in the Ryder Cup despite opting to take “boatloads of cash” from the LIV Golf Invitational Series.

The Northern Irishman’s opposition to the Saudi-backed events has been very public and long-standing and while the breakaway has created some friction with the PGA and DP World Tours the world number eight is hopeful it will not impact the biennial contest with the United States.