Trump Backs Bradley for Ryder Cup Captaincy Amid McIlroy’s Rejection

US President Donald Trump recently took to social media to advocate for Keegan Bradley to serve as a playing captain for the upcoming Ryder Cup. This statement came shortly after Rory McIlroy publicly dismissed the notion of a playing captain, emphasizing the challenges associated with such a role.

Trump’s endorsement of Bradley, who is set to make his six captain’s picks for the US Ryder Cup team on August 27, was made via a post on Truth Social, where he stated, “Keegan Bradley should DEFINITELY be on the American Ryder Cup Team – As Captain!!! He is an AMAZING guy.” The call for Bradley to helm the team marks a significant moment, as he would be the first playing captain for the USA since Arnold Palmer in 1963.

In contrast, McIlroy, who finished 11th in the Ryder Cup rankings, has firmly rejected the idea of being a playing captain. Speaking to reporters, he remarked, “If you’d have said it 20 years ago, I’d say it was probably possible to do, but how big of a spectacle it is 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.” He elaborated on the extensive responsibilities of a captain during the event, especially with the tournament’s significance having grown over the years.

McIlroy pointed out that a captain would only have the opportunity to participate in one session on Friday and one on Saturday. He suggested that it would be more beneficial for the team to have players who can compete multiple times if they are performing well. “Look, it’s just my opinion, but I think it would just be very difficult to do,” he concluded.

As the 45th Ryder Cup approaches, scheduled for September 26-28 at Bethpage, New York, both teams are finalizing their rosters. Trump has confirmed his attendance on the opening day of the event, expressing eagerness to see Bradley compete.

Bradley, who recently finished 44th, 17th, and 7th in his last three PGA Tour events, now faces a challenging decision regarding his six captain’s picks. Alongside Bradley, potential selections include Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Wyndham Clark, Cameron Young, Ben Griffin, and Maverick McNealy. Automatically qualified for the US team are Scottie Scheffler, JJ Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau.

On the European side, Luke Donald is grappling with his own selection dilemmas. Notably, Shane Lowry narrowly missed out on an automatic qualifying position, overtaken by Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard following the British Masters at The Belfry. Despite this setback, it is widely anticipated that Lowry will still secure a spot on the team.

Other contenders for the European team include Sepp Straka, Ludvig Åberg, Viktor Hovland, Matt Wallace, and Matt Fitzpatrick. Meanwhile, McIlroy’s strong performance has ensured his place at the top of the European rankings, joining Hojgaard, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, and Tyrrell Hatton in the lineup.

As excitement builds for the Ryder Cup, the contrasting views of Trump and McIlroy highlight the ongoing debate over the role of captains in this prestigious tournament. The decisions made in the coming weeks will undoubtedly shape the dynamics of this highly anticipated competition.