AMERICAN golf fans have reacted with outrage after discovering a Team USA Ryder Cup T-shirt that appears to show the silhouette of a EUROPEAN player.
The shirt, produced by American fashion giant Ralph Lauren, was listed on the official US Ryder Cup shop for $65 (£48).
US Ryder CupA Team USA Ryder Cup shirt has sparked debate due to the likeness of its silhouette[/caption]
The design features Team USA branding on top of an outline of a golfer in their post-swing stance.
But eagle-eyed fans claim the silhouette does not belong to a Team USA player, or even an American.
One X user posted a picture of the listing and said: “That’s just literally Rory McIlroy on a USA Ryder Cup shirt are you guys effing joking.”
Another responded to their post with outrage, saying: “The PGA and Ryder Cup needs new ideas and leadership…simply lazy and unacceptable!!!”
Not only is the Northern Irish golf legend not playing for Team USA, he will be playing against them at the prestigious tournament in the USA later this month.
McIlroy, currently second in the world golf rankings, will play for Team Europe after qualifying for the team comfortably on the back of his strong performances this year.
But the quality of the beloved 36-year-old’s recent tournaments will not soften the blow for American fans, if it is indeed his outline on the merchandise.
One incensed fan said of the design: “We need to eject Ralph Lauren from golf so bad. Hit the eject button immediately.”
GettyFans have claimed the outline resembles Rory McIlroy, who will compete against the US at the event[/caption]
When the two are placed side-by-side, the resemblance appears uncanny
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Another added: “Surely they weren’t this f***ing stupid. Euros are going to have a field day with this.”
Some fans did not see McIlroy in the silhouette at all, but could not seem to agree on who it really was.
Multiple other users chimed in with various suggestions, including: “That’s clearly [Jordan] Spieth“, “I would’ve said Adam Scott“, and simply “Scottie Scheffler!”
One name stood out in the crowd, with McIlroy himself naming who he thinks the silhouette is when asked about the debate surrounding the shirt.
He told Sky Sports: “It looks more like Adam Scott than me but yeah, it looks a little similar, I don’t know.”
When told that American fans might be wearing his visage on their shirts at the tournament, he playfully responded: “That’s okay. That’s fine. I won’t mind that!”
Team USA and Ralph Lauren were spoiled for choice with potential Ryder Cup stars to decorate their shirt with.
World No. 1 Scheffler will be joined by icons such as Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas.
They will face down a team consisting of McIlroy, alongside Brits Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose, and former world No.1 Jon Rahm, among others.
The tournament is set to take place from the 26th to the 28th of September at the Bethpage Black course in Farmingdale, New York.
GettyMcIlroy claimed the silhouette resembled another non-American, Australian Adam Scott[/caption]
GettyAmerican Jordan Spieth was also suggested as the potential identity of the outline[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
