ROME, Sept 27 (Reuters) - After months of debating the absence of European Ryder Cup stalwarts Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy said that this was the week when the LIV absentees would "miss this more than we are going to miss them". "I think this week is a realisation that the decision that they made has led to not being a part of this week, and that's tough. McIlroy stood firm against LIV from the start and now finds himself as the Europe's "Grandfather of the House" as he prepares for his seventh Ryder Cup. "I just didn't put any emphasis on making a Ryder Cup team until you make one, and then you never want to be off one again. The most enjoyable moments in my career have been being a part of European Ryder Cup teams.

---

Persons: Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, LIV absentees, Garcia, Westwood, Poulter, LIV, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Henrik Stenson, It's, McIlroy, Nicolai, Hojgaard, Ludvig, Bob, MacIntyre, I'm, Mitch Phillips, Christian Radnedge Organizations: European Ryder, Tour, Ryder, Thomson Locations: Rome, Saudi, LIV, Europe