Rory McIlroy is already one of the most experienced Ryder Cup players, and now people are starting to wonder if he might take on an even bigger role for Team Europe.
Luke Donald had a successful run as captain, leading Europe to a convincing win in Rome before guiding the team again at Bethpage Black, where they weren’t expected to come out on top. Despite plenty of support for him to return, Donald hasn’t made up his mind yet.
Lately, there’s been talk about McIlroy possibly stepping into the role as a playing captain, similar to how Keegan Bradley nearly did it for the US at Bethpage.
Donald recently spoke about whether he believes McIlroy has what it takes to be an effective Ryder Cup captain.
McIlroy fits what Europe need from its next Ryder Cup captain
If you’re going off experience alone, not many golfers can match what McIlroy brings. The Northern Irishman has played in seven straight tournaments and has come away with five wins. Only Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood have suited up more often for Team Europe than he has.
He’s been part of several different setups over the years and knows exactly how tough it can be playing away from home in front of hostile crowds – something that could make all the difference at Adare Manor in 2027.
Speaking ahead of the DP World Tour India Championship, Luke Donald fielded several questions about the recent Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
One of those questions was about whether Rory McIlroy has what it takes to be a good captain.
Donald pointed out that above all else, passion for the Ryder Cup is what makes a great leader, and that’s something McIlroy doesn’t lack.
“Well, just the fact that he loves the Ryder Cup more than anything,” Donald said. “He made it quite evident that winning an away Ryder Cup would really be the icing on an amazing year that he has had this year.
“Yeah, he loves what it represents. You’ve seen the emotion from losing to winning. Anyone who has that passion for a Ryder Cup, I think, would make a good captain.”
Rory McIlroy’s thoughts on potentially leading Europe as a playing captain at the Ryder Cup
Back in August, when Keegan Bradley was still considering whether to be a playing captain for the Ryder Cup, Rory McIlroy weighed in on just how tough that role would be.
The Northern Irishman explained that he had already ruled out the idea of taking on both roles in the near future.
“If you’d have said it 20 years ago, I’d say, yeah, it was probably possible to do,” McIlroy said. “But how big of a spectacle 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.”
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“Then the captain isn’t going to be on the course all day, so really the captain’s only going to be able to play one session on Friday, one session on Saturday. Would you rather not have a player who has the flexibility to go twice if he’s playing well?
“There are a lot of different things that go into it, and that’s why I think… look, it’s just my opinion, but I think it would just be very difficult to do.”
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