- McIlroy has expressed surprise at Keegan's appointment
- Bradley narrowly missed automatic qualification
- McIlroy believes Bradley would need to step down
Rory McIlroy has expressed surprise at the appointment of Keegan Bradley as US captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup, casting doubt on whether Bradley can effectively lead the team while also playing.
Tiger Woods’ decision to decline the captaincy paved the way for the unexpected choice of Bradley, who will be the youngest US captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963 (when Palmer also played).
McIlroy, attending a dinner with European captain Luke Donald and other team members, revealed their collective disbelief upon hearing the news. While acknowledging Bradley’s passion for the Ryder Cup and familiarity with Bethpage Black (host venue), McIlroy questioned the practicality of the selection.
“Absolutely not,” McIlroy said when asked if combining playing and captaincy duties is feasible. “Having a playing captain in this day and age, it’s just not on.”
Bradley narrowly missed automatic qualification for the 2023 Ryder Cup team and was not chosen as a captain’s pick either. Despite his stated intention to qualify for the 2025 team, McIlroy believes Bradley would need to step down as captain if he succeeds.
The effectiveness of this captaincy choice remains to be seen, with McIlroy’s comments highlighting potential challenges for the US team.
