Rory McIlroy wants Thomas Pieters as his Ryder Cup partner for the next 20 years
Monday 3 October 2016 17:17, UK
Rory McIlroy says he is keen to keep Thomas Pieters as his Ryder Cup partner for the next 20 years.
Despite Europe losing their six-year hold on the trophy, McIlroy and Pieters formed an impressive partnership to win all three of the matches they played together.
The Northern Irishman says he has high hopes for their future as a pair, starting in Paris in 2018.
"I've got a partner beside me for the next 20 years, I'm not letting anyone else have him," McIlroy said following the 17-11 defeat to the United States on Sunday.
"There are plenty of positives to take into Paris in two years' time,
"Some of the new blood we have, they have gotten over their first Ryder Cup and now they know what it's about and they know what they are going to expect next time.
"We have a group that have gotten much closer over the past seven days, a group that you could possibly all see again in two years' time," added McIlroy.
"It is disappointing to lose. I wish we could have that feeling we had at Gleneagles two years ago but it will make it that much better when we have that feeling again in Paris."
Pieters, who is ranked 39th in the world, was Europe's leading scorer with four points from five matches, as he triumphed in his last-day singles match against JB Holmes.
