Rory McIlroy ramps up Ryder Cup mind games with USA player-power dig
- - - Rory McIlroy ramps up Ryder Cup mind games with USA player-power dig
James CorriganJuly 12, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Rory McIlroy believes that Keegan Bradley should be playing for the United States but not as captain - Getty Images/Andrew Redington
Rory McIlroy believes the players run the US Ryder Cup team-room and feels that will be an advantage for Europe in September’s showdown in New York.
When Keegan Bradley was named as the shock choice as US captain last year, McIlroy said that if the 39-year-old does make it to Bethpage as a player, he would have to stand down from the leadership position. McIlroy suggested that one of Bradley’s assistants should be appointed instead.
“Absolutely not,” McIlroy replied when asked if it possible in the modern age to undertake both roles.
Yet after winning last month on the PGA Tour, Bradley has risen up to ninth place in the US standings and with the top six automatically qualifying, he has suggested he could name himself among the wildcards and still retain the hot seat at Bethpage Black. In that scenario, Bradley would be the first player-captain at the Ryder Cup since Arnold Palmer 62 years ago.
Dame Laura Davies is just one European expert who has said she would welcome this prospect. “I would, because it wouldn’t work,” she said, and McIlroy is plainly of the same mind. However, he has his viewpoint on the issue, claiming there is a contrast between the two units, as to who is actually in charge.
“It’s a different perspective, absolutely,” McIlroy said. “It really feels like it’s a player-led team in America, and obviously we have our input as players on the Europe team but we do have that one figurehead in Luke [Donald, the captain]. I think that’s important.
Luke Donald led the Europe team to Ryder Cup success in Rome in 2023 and will try to do the same in the United States this year - Getty Images/Richard Heathcote
“I think even going back to Rome, when the Americans got off to a pretty rough start, I think because Zach [Johnson, the 2023 US captain] gave the team so much ownership, they had no one to look to. They were looking at each other instead of having a focal point – ‘tell us what to do’. That is something that Europe have done very, very well. But also the players have allowed the captain to be a captain as well.”
It has been propounded that Jim Furyk, the losing 2018 captain, could step up, but Bradley has dismissed the notion of officially stepping down. McIlroy is certain that Bradley should be in spikes and not in a buggy.
“Keegan has had a great year,” he added. “I definitely think the US team is better with Keegan playing than not playing. I definitely think he’s one of the best 12 American players right now. It’s going to be an interesting couple months to see how that all shakes out.”
Analysis: Captaincy quandary plays into European hands
Keegan Bradley has shot back up the rankings with fine form this year - Reuters/Bill Streicher
There is little doubt that the visitors would be thrilled if Bradley – who has only played in the match twice and who has not even acted as an assistant captain – does attempt what they feel is the impossible job. Donald will obviously not declare as much, but one can be fairly sure that he will lean into the “player power” dynamic in the opposing camp.
In the Italian capital two years ago a row erupted inside the Stars and Stripes squad that they were not being paid, with the PGA of America – the organisation that runs the US half of the Ryder Cup – taking huge profits. Telegraph Sport exclusively revealed late in 2024 that to avert munity, the officials had decided to break with tradition and remunerate the golfers, with each receiving $500,000. The Europeans emphatically told Donald they did not want the same treatment and thus battlelines were drawn.
Despite Team USA insisting that all the money will go to each individual’s chosen charity, the distinction is very clear and it will be fascinating to see if the fans turn on their own men if the match does not go to plan. Especially, as McIlroy pointed out, if there is no “figurehead” acting above and separately to the players.
McIlroy was talking at the Renaissance Club near North Berwick where the Scottish Open is taking place as a prelude to next week’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush. The Masters champion birdied five of his first seven holes at the East Lothian links and although he could retain that form, his 65 hurtled him to seven-under and within four shots of the early halfway pacesetter, the American Chris Gotterup. England’s Harry Hall is two behind on nine-under courtesy of a 64, while fellow countryman Matt Fitzpatrick fired a 63 to move to eight-under.
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Source: AOL Sports
