Irish Open champion Jon Rahm has joined Rory McIlroy in calling for this year's Ryder Cup to be rescheduled rather than played behind closed doors.
Social distancing and safety regulations are likely to still be in place ahead of the team event between Europe and the USA at Whistling Straits in September and organisers are considering whether to proceed without supporters at the course.
McIlroy and Brooks Koepka have both expressed their belief that the competition would suffer without fans and Rahm agrees that they're an integral part of the competition
"We all want to be a part of the Ryder Cup, and I want to go there this year, win more than one point this time and hopefully retain the Cup on US soil," the Spaniard told Sky Sports. "Of course I really want to play and be a part of the European team. It's a lot of fun and a unique experience.
"I have heard the rumours about a possible Ryder Cup with no spectators and, for me, a Ryder Cup without the spectators is just not a Ryder Cup.
"It's the one tournament of the year where we're not playing for ourselves, we're playing for Europe, we're playing for the United States, and it's for the fans. There are 50,000 people following four groups over the first two days and the atmosphere is what it is because of the fans.
"So, if they're not there, it's just 24 guys playing golf over a weekend with people watching at home. It just wouldn't be the same thing. And it wouldn't be fair for the US team either if they don't have the home support, which is always a big factor. The Ryder Cup in Paris would not be the same without the atmosphere we had."
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