Rory McIlroy has revealed how the room reacted when Luke Donald told him that Keegan Bradley was set to be named as the US Ryder Cup captain for Bethpage next year.
The golfing world is still trying to grasp the news that Keegan Bradley will succeed Zach Johnson and lead the US team in New York as they look to try and regain the Ryder Cup after their poor showing in Rome.
Some think the move could prove to be inspired, while others have questioned the PGA of America’s judgement, with Bradley set to become one of the youngest captains in the competition’s history. He has also not been involved in a Ryder Cup team in a decade.
Of course, Rory McIlroy will be particularly interested in the appointment. The Northern Irishman will be hoping to remain Europe’s talisman for 2025, and he is also set to be a teammate of Bradley’s when TGL launches next year.
Rory McIlroy reveals how he found out Keegan Bradley was being named US Ryder Cup captain
McIlroy was asked on BBC Radio Five Live (broadcast on 11/7; 16:52) about the appointment following his first round at the Scottish Open, before he was asked what the reaction in the room was when Luke Donald told him about the decision.
“Definitely a surprise, I think for everyone. We had dinner in London on Sunday night with Luke and he told us then. Yeah, it’s an interesting appointment, the youngest captain since Arnold Palmer I think was a playing captain at 34, but he knows Bethpage very well, he went to university in the area, he’s obviously very passionate about the Ryder Cup. It’s certainly a departure from what the US have done over the last few years, and time will tell if that’s a good thing or not,” he said.
“Disbelief probably. I think Keegan was in disbelief too, but certainly an interesting pick,” he added, when discussing the reaction.
An interesting history
Obviously, Bradley and McIlroy have plenty of history in the event together. It was Bradley who so nearly won a singles match by default when the Northern Irishman mixed up his tee time and nearly arrived too late in 2012.
They would also face off two years later, with Bradley and Phil Mickelson beating McIlroy and Sergio Garcia. Of course, the most memorable incident involving Bradley at Gleneagles came when he conceded the putt against Jamie Donaldson which confirmed Europe’s victory.
Bradley will be hoping that his first win at the Ryder Cup comes next year when he captains his country.
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