OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Rory McIlroy, current Masters champion, revealed that he turned down the opportunity to be player-captain of the European team in a future Ryder Cup. The golfer believes that a captain cannot effectively perform both functions.
Although McIlroy did not specify which Ryder Cup he was referring to, it is presumed that it was the 2027 match between the United States and Europe at Adare Manor, County Limerick, Ireland.
The last playing captain in the Ryder Cup was Arnold Palmer, who led the American team to a 23-9 victory over the Europeans at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta in 1963. McIlroy explained that being a playing captain would be too difficult nowadays, given the large amount of off-course responsibilities that come with being captain during Ryder Cup week. McIlroy added: “You think about the additional media that a captain has to attend to, the meetings with the vice-captains and with the PGA of America. In Keegan’s case, preparing the speech for the opening ceremony. There are many things that people don’t see that the captain does during Ryder Cup week, especially now that the Ryder Cup has become so big.” “If you’d asked me 20 years ago, I would have said, ‘Yes, it would probably be possible to do it.’ But with the magnitude of the spectacle and everything at stake in a Ryder Cup now, I think it would be a very difficult position.” McIlroy suggested that a captain would likely only play one session on each of the first two days due to other responsibilities, which could affect the team’s ability to utilize its best lineup. “Would you rather not have a player who has the flexibility to play twice if he’s playing well? There are many different things that come into play. Look, it’s just my opinion, but I think it would be very difficult to do,” he concluded. Rickie Fowler and Patrick Cantlay, Ryder Cup veterans, expressed that Bradley is one of the 12 best American golfers and should be on the team. Bradley won the Travelers Championship, a prominent event, on June 22. He has achieved five top-10 finishes and nine top-25 finishes in 19 appearances. “Yes, I would choose him too,” said Fowler, who has competed in five Ryder Cups. “I think you’d be hard-pressed to find many Americans who would argue that point.” Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number 1 golfer, who is already qualified for the team, commented: “I guess you’ll have to ask the captain that question.” “I think, looking at our team, we have a very good group of guys. I think Keegan can only help that. I think if Keegan wants to be part of the team and wants to play, I think he’s a guy you’d love to have on the team.”I definitely think he’s one of the top 12 American players right now. That’s why everyone is so interested and it’s such a compelling case. I’m as interested as everyone else to see how it all unfolds.
Rory McIlroy
