LIV Golf Pro Jumps to Rory McIlroy’s Rescue After He Upset Keegan Bradley With 10-Word Statement

Not that long ago, Rory McIlroy revealed that he turned down the potential opportunity of being a playing captain in the future. He strongly advised Keegan Bradley not to take up the role, suggesting that it would be quite stressful to manage in this day and age. “I think it would just be very difficult to do,” the Irishman said, as he tried to look out for his peer. However, many didn’t perceive it that way, and McIlroy faced a lot of heat for his statement. But now, a seasoned pro has jumped to his defense.

Smylie Kaufman leaned into this issue in his latest podcast. Talking to Graeme McDowell, the 1-time PGA Tour champion questioned whether McIlroy was playing mind games when he made the statement. McDowell told Kaufman, “I think it introduced a little bit of chaos to the U.S. side. I think the mental chaos leading to ‘will he or won’t he’, I think the Europeans probably enjoyed it. I’m not sure Rory kind of teed that one up to playing mind games, per se.”

While the European team may have enjoyed the episode, McDowell genuinely believes that Rory was not to create any conflict. Being one of the most popular golfers in the world, he’s just been asked about everything that happens in golf. Even when he’s not involved in the situation. Team U.S.’s Captain’s Picks is a prime example of that. In fact, McDowell also gave a little more insight into McIlroy’s situation.

“He gets asked every question under the sun, and eventually, that one was going to come up. And obviously, 27, in Ireland, Rory McIlroy (as) playing captain, I mean, it will be pretty radical, be pretty legendary stuff.” With the 2027 Ryder Cup set up in Adare Manor, in County Limerick, Ireland, McIlroy was bound to be asked the question this year. And considering everything that is going on with Keegan Bradley, fans would certainly love to see McIlroy lead the team on home soil.

However, Graeme reiterated Rory’s statement, “He wouldn’t have the capacity to be able to do both of those things in Ireland… But having a home Ryder Cup in Ireland, Rory McIlroy, one of the greatest players ever to play the game, being a playing captain, that’s just such a huge chaotic situation with a massive amount of work to do there.” Considering how the media follows every story related to McIlroy, it would be hard for him to pull off both roles successfully.

Moreover, considering his reputation for not being able to handle pressure, it would be hard to imagine the Grand Slam champion managing both roles efficiently during the critical week. Should he be given the role of a captain, he probably won’t consider joining the team as a player at the same time. Even if he does, then he would probably take Stewart Cink’s advice for Keegan Bradley and let someone else lead the team during the three days while he’s on the course.

Graeme McDowell is not the first to defend Rory McIlroy for his statement. After the Irishman warned Keegan Bradley, another expert backed him up by sharing their own insights on the situation.

Expert backs Rory McIlroy for advising Keegan Bradley against playing captain role

There is a general perception that having Keegan Bradley as playing captain would have benefited Team Europe. Essentially, the Americans would be playing with 11 players as one of them would be busy shuffling between his role as a captain and a player. And that would create a lot of complications and confusion in the team. So, Rory McIlroy had a reason to advise Bradley against choosing himself to be a playing captain.

Drew Stoltz also agreed with it, as he was strongly against the idea. He said, “Just play. Defer the captaincy to someone else. Because it takes your mind off of the playing if you’ve got to make some decisions on being a captain, too. He’s got qualified people that are assistants. He can let one of them do it, you know.” Keegan Bradley has a great team of assistants to support him. Had he chosen to play, he could have easily had former captain Jim Furyk, or anyone else, lead the squad.