Ryder Cup mind games begin as Rory McIlroy weighs in on Keegan Bradley dilemma
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As Keegan Bradley faces the biggest decision of his career, Rory McIlroy has piled the pressure on the US Ryder Cup captain…
Rory McIlroy has questioned whether it is wise for Keegan Bradley to become a playing captain at this year’s Ryder Cup.
In a surprise move by the PGA of America, 39-year-old Bradley was announced as the captain for Bethpage despite only narrowly missing out on a pick for the 2023 edition in Rome.
With Bradley enjoying a solid season, it has led to a scenario many predicted. While he is not among the six automatic qualification spots as it stands, he is sitting 10th and would likely be odds-on for a pick if he was vying for a spot on the 12-man team.
That has given rise to calls for Bradley to become the first Ryder Cup playing captain in more than 60 years. European skipper Luke Donald even approved a new clause allowing vice-captains to give on-course advice to pave the way for this to happen.
Bradley himself has certainly seemed open to the idea. When put to him, he has stopped short of confirming it but has stated he will do whatever is in the best interests of the team.
It is a fascinating storyline heading into what is sure to be one of the most compelling Ryder Cups in history, but could it actually work in Europe’s favour as they look to claim a rare away victory?
McIlroy seems to think so.
After revealing he has been asked for his thoughts on one day becoming a playing captain for Europe and that he “shot it down straight away,” the Northern Irishman explained why he thinks it would be so difficult.
“Because I don’t think you can do it,” McIlroy said ahead of this week’s BMW Championship.
“I just think the commitments that a captain has the week of [the Ryder Cup], you think about the extra media that a captain has to do, you think about the extra meetings that the captains have to do with the vice captains, with the PGA of America, in Keegan’s case, preparing your speech for the opening ceremony.
“There’s a lot of things that people don’t see that the captain does the week of the Ryder Cup, especially now that the Ryder Cup has become so big.
“If you’d have said it 20 years ago, I’d say it was probably possible to do, but how big of a spectacle and everything that’s on the line in a Ryder Cup now, I just think it would be a very difficult position to be in. So I just think for those reasons.
“Then the captain isn’t going to be on the course all day, so really the captain’s only going to be able to play one session on Friday, one session on Saturday. Would you rather not have a player that has the flexibility to go twice if he’s playing well?
“There’s a lot of different things that go into it, and that’s why I think [you can’t do it]. Look, it’s just my opinion, but I think it would just be very difficult to do.”
One person who wasn’t as keen to discuss the Ryder Cup as he prepares for the second of the FedEx Cup Playoffs is Scottie Scheffler.
The World No.1 was typically pragmatic when asked what he thinks about Bradley naming himself as a playing captain.
“I guess you’re going to have to ask the captain that question,” Scheffler said. “I think, looking at our squad, I think we have a really good group of guys. I think Keegan can only help that.
“I think if it’s something that Keegan wants to be part of the team and wants to play, I think he’s a guy we’d all love to have on the team. The intensity that he’s brought as a captain. He has definitely exceeded my expectations as far as a captain. He’s done a great job.
“He’s passionate about the Ryder Cup. He cares a lot about us as players. It’s been a lot of fun kind of watching him develop in this role, and we’re excited to get the Ryder Cup started.”
Scheffler was then asked about the crowds at Bethpage, whether Bradley seeks feedback from him about how the US team is shaping up, whether he and a bunch of his potential team-mates will be playing in Napa in September to stay sharp, before he drew the line.
“I love answering questions about the Ryder Cup, but this is ridiculous,” Scheffler added. “We’re at the BMW Championship.
“The Ryder Cup is over a month away. If you want to talk about this week, let’s talk about this week. If not, I’ve got practice to do. I’m getting ready for a golf tournament.”
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Rory McIlroy has told Keegan Bradley that he doesn't think being a playing captain at the Ryder Cup is possible in the modern era.
