McIlroy Gives His Take on Keegan Bradley Playing in Ryder Cup
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It’s been nearly a year since Keegan Bradley was named the U.S. Ryder Cup captain for the 2025 showdown at Bethpage Black. At the time, the choice raised eyebrows — not for who he was, but for what he might still be: a competitive, motivated player with gas left in the tank.

Fast forward to now, and that hypothetical is very real.

Bradley won the Travelers Championship last month and currently sits ninth in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings — right on the edge of auto-qualification. He’s also seventh in the Official World Golf Ranking, trailing only Scheffler, Schauffele, Morikawa, Thomas, and Henley among Americans.

So now the big question looms: Can a player also be a captain in 2025?

Rory McIlroy’s stance hasn’t budged. Not even an inch. “No, absolutely not,” McIlroy said — echoing his stance from a year ago.

“Hopefully It Is Impossible”

Speaking at the Genesis Scottish Open after a second-round 65, McIlroy was asked again about the prospect of Bradley pulling double duty.

“Hopefully it is impossible,” he quipped, cracking a smile. “Keegan has played great. He’s had a great year… I definitely think the U.S. team is better with Keegan playing than not playing.”

It was a classic Rory move — compliment the player, but hold the line on principle. “It’s going to be an interesting couple of months to see how that all shakes out,” McIlroy added, underscoring the tension growing inside the U.S. camp.

A Warning From Rome

McIlroy, who’s become one of Europe’s vocal leaders in Ryder Cup play, pointed to last year’s American implosion in Rome. According to him, it was partly the result of a leadership vacuum.

“Because Zach [Johnson] 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.”

“That is something Europe has done very, very well. The players have allowed the captain to be a captain.” It’s a not-so-subtle reminder that leadership — real leadership — matters.

“You Can’t Do Both”

“You Can’t Do Both”
© Aaron Doster Imagn Images

If Bradley plays and captains? McIlroy says the team will suffer. Period.

“There’s no way you can be as good a captain as you need to be and be a playing captain as well,” he said. “It’s one or the other. Especially with how big the Ryder Cup has become.”

McIlroy even admitted he thought about trying it in 2027 at Adare Manor — and immediately realized how impossible it would be. “If you want to be the best captain, you can’t play. If you want to be the best player, you can’t captain.”

If Bradley Plays Then What?

Bradley has said there’s been internal discussion about contingency plans if he makes the team. His staff includes Jim Furyk, a two-time U.S. team leader with deep experience. It’s not hard to imagine Furyk stepping in if Bradley has to focus on playing.

But McIlroy believes that step isn’t optional — it’s necessary. “If he does [make the team], I think he’s going to have to give that captaincy role to one of the vice captains.”

What Comes Next?

Bradley still has time — and a few high-stakes tournaments — to force the issue. If he qualifies automatically, the U.S. will be in uncharted waters. The last American to serve as a playing captain? Arnold Palmer in 1963. But golf in 2025 is not what it was in 1963.

This Ryder Cup will be played in front of the loudest crowd in the sport, at Bethpage Black, where pressure and noise will swallow anything less than total clarity. The U.S. will need leadership, not just firepower.

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Austin Rickles