Rory McIlroy weighs tough choice between playing and potential 2027 Ryder Cup captaincy

Rory McIlroy was offered the chance to captain the European team for the 2027 Ryder Cup, but the Northern Irishman turned it down. In his own words, he still sees himself as a team player.

McIlroy said being around Luke Donald in the build-up to the 2023 Ryder Cup gave him an insight into the huge amount of work that goes into being a captain. This could affect his playing results.

This was part of what Rory McIlroy had to say (via Golf Digest):

"It's been mentioned, and I've just said, 'No way.' If you want to be the best captain you can be, you can't play. And if you want to be the best player you can be, you can't captain."

He added:

"It's one or the other. Especially with how big the Ryder Cup has become and how many things you have to do in the lead-up to the event, the week of the event."

Rory McIlroy has represented Europe in seven editions of the Ryder Cup (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2018, 2021, and 2023). He has been on the winning side five times, losing only in 2016 and 2021.

His record in the event is 18 points contributed to the European cause in 33 matches, thanks to 16 wins, 13 losses, and four draws. His best Ryder Cup performance came in the most recent edition (2023) when he scored four points.

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Rory McIlroy on Keegan Bradley's appointment as US captain: "An interesting pick"

Like the rest of the golf world, Rory McIlroy was informed on Monday, July 8, of Keegan Bradley's appointment as captain of the U.S. team for the 2025 Ryder Cup. McIlroy said he didn't believe it at first, and he thinks Bradley is an "interesting pick."

This is what McIlroy had to say on the subject during a press conference prior to the Genesis Scottish Open (via Golf Digest):

"I think disbelief [at first]. I think Keegan [Bradley] was probably in disbelief, at some point, too, but certainly an interesting pick...he knows Bethpage very well. He went to university in the area. He's obviously very passionate about the Ryder Cup."

Bradley and McIlroy have faced each other several times at the Ryder Cup. In 2012, Bradley teamed up with Phil Mickelson to defeat McIlroy and Graeme McDowell in the four-ball match on the opening day. Two days later, the Northern Irishman got his revenge by defeating Bradley in the singles match. In 2014, Bradley and Mickelson teamed up again to defeat McIlroy in the first day's four-ball match, this time alongside Sergio Garcia.

Bradley and McIlroy have a good friendship, have played many tournaments together on the PGA Tour. Both are members of the Boston Common Golf Team, which will participate in the TGL League starting in 2025.