Rory McIlroy has lit the fire ahead of the Ryder Cup next year as he confidently sounded out Team Europe’s chances of completing ‘golf’s biggest accomplishment’
Rory McIlroy has already begun stoking the fire ahead of next year’s Ryder Cup as he confidently backed Team Europe’s chances of victory in the States.
The Northern Irishman has tasted success in golf’s oldest tournament four out of the six times he’s appeared and has made no bones about Team Europe’s chances of retaining the Ryder Cup and winning in the United States for the first time since 2012. The top point scorer at the Marco Simeone Golf and Country Club last year has every right to be positive.
McIlroy is set to team up with captain Luke Donald again, the pair were a part of the triumphant Europe side that won in Illinois, with Donald captaining his team to success in Italy and will attempt to be the first Ryder Cup captain to win successive competitions since Tony Jacklin in the 1980s.
The four-time major winner signalled his confidence that the tourists could complete their triumph again, saying: “I’ve said this for the last probably six or seven years to anyone that will listen. I think one of the biggest accomplishments in golf right now is winning an away Ryder Cup. And that’s what we’re going to do at Bethpage [Black in 2025].”
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McIlroy’s pursuit could be boosted by the wretched Ryder Cup record that Team USA’s captain Keegan Bradley holds. The 2011 PGA Championship winner was named to lead the US after their first choice Tiger Woods rejected the opportunity. Bradley has lost both Ryder Cups that he’s appeared in, including Europe’s away win in 2012.
Bradley’s return to the Cup for the first time in over a decade is an emotional one for him. “I am incredibly honoured to accept this opportunity to Captain the United States Team at the 2025 Ryder Cup,” said Bradley. “I would like to thank the PGA of America Ryder Cup Committee for their trust in me as we embark on this journey to Bethpage Black.
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“My passion and appreciation for golf’s greatest team event have never been stronger. The Ryder Cup is unlike any other competition in our sport, and this edition will undoubtedly be particularly special given the rich history and enthusiastic spectators at this iconic course. I look forward to beginning preparations for 2025.”
Bradley’s Ryder Cup return comes after he was notably snubbed ahead of the 2023 edition. During an episode of the Netflix show ‘Full Swing’, Bradley suggested that his omission was down to an exclusive culture within the team. After failing to make the team on points, he felt his lack of connection with captain Zach Johnson cost him his spot, he said: “The reality for me is, I don’t have this connection to that group that a lot of guys have, so I know I have to go play well to get on this team.”