'Impossible' To Be Ryder Cup Playing Captain In The Modern Era - Paul McGinley
Team Europe's 2014 Ryder Cup-winning captain Paul McGinley believes it would harm the US team if skipper Keegan Bradley were to play at Bethpage Black
Paul McGinley believes it would be "impossible" for anyone to successfully carry out the role of playing captain at a Ryder Cup in the modern era.
There has not been a playing captain in the biennial competition between Europe and the United States since 1963 when Arnold Palmer oversaw a thumping 23-9 victory over Great Britain at East Lake in Georgia.
In that edition, Mr Palmer boasted a 4-2 record, losing 3&2 to Brian Huggett and George Will alongside Johnny Pott in the week's opening match before going down by one against Peter Alliss in the Sunday singles.
Ever since, plenty of 40-plus-year-olds have watched on as 12 of their country's best golfers have battled it out on their behalf, with mixed results.
But after Bradley was somewhat surprisingly picked to be Zach Johnson's successor at Bethpage Black in September 2025 - at which point he will only be 39 - the two-time Ryder Cup player admitted he was eyeing up a spot on the team, so long as he can outright qualify.
A post shared by Golf Today on Golf Channel (@gcgolftoday)
A photo posted by on
Bradley said: "One thing that is important to me is I want to play on the team. I feel as though I'm still in the prime of my career and can make this team.
“I'm not going to pick myself. The only way that would happen is if the team was insisting on it. But even if they did, I don't see that happening. I want to make the team on points, otherwise I'm going to be the captain.”
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
However, the man who led Europe to a 16.5-11.5 win at Gleneagles in 2014 without swinging a club believes attempting to do both jobs would only fuel the visitors' chances of retaining the little gold trophy.
Speaking to Golf Channel's Damon Hack, McGinley said: “Put it this way, Damon, if America has a playing Ryder Cup captain, I think we would be quite happy in Europe if that was the case.
"The role has become so complex, so difficult. And as we know in this game at the very elite level, the ability to focus is often the determining factor between success and not success.
"If you're trying to go out there and play in a very, very hostile environment like a Ryder Cup is, combined with your head all over the place making decisions... it doesn't matter whether you have a vice-captain or anybody else in place, no matter how good that person may be, it's a very, very difficult thing to do - it's almost impossible, I would say impossible."
Bradley was selected for the position after Tiger Woods turned it down following long conversations with the PGA of America and the governing body looked past the likes of former vice captain Stewart Cink - who recently admitted he "was really hoping to be in that role."
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and is hoping to reach his Handicap goal of 18 at some stage. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
Rory McIlroy Accidentally Breaks Driver As FedEx Cup Woes Continue
The World No.3’s driver shaft snapped after he leaned on it while picking up his tee at Castle Pines Golf Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
'I Messed Up' - Nelly Korda Breaks Down Where 2024 AIG Women's Open Slipped Away
The World No.1 has admitted that two key mistakes over the weekend at the Old Course Major cost her the chance of the title
By Mike Hall Published
-
Luke Donald Announces One Big Change To European Ryder Cup Qualifying Process
Team Europe's Ryder Cup qualifying window begins later this month at the Betfred British Masters
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'That's The Right Approach' - Bryson DeChambeau Backs Keegan Bradley's LIV Golf Stance
Bryson DeChambeau, who wasn't picked for last year's Ryder Cup, said he supported Keegan Bradley's appointment as captain of Team USA
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
'I Was Really Hoping To Be In That Role' - Former Vice Captain Responds To Missing Out On US Ryder Cup Lead Job
Five-time Ryder Cup player and vice-captain to Zach Johnson in Rome, Stewart Cink admitted he was "disappointed" not to have been chosen as captain for Bethpage Black
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Phil Mickelson Backing 'Incredible' Ryder Cup Partner Keegan Bradley To 'Lead With Passion' As US Team Captain
The 12-time Ryder Cupper said Bradley's love for the biennial team competition is "more than anybody I know" and is backing him to thrive as US team captain
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Tiger Woods Reveals Why He Declined US Ryder Cup Captaincy
Woods was the overwhelming favorite to succeed Zach Johnson as the next US Ryder Cup captain and had been in extended talks with the PGA of America over the role
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
‘I Want To Play On The Team’ - Keegan Bradley On His Plans As US Ryder Cup Captain
Keegan Bradley spoke about his plans as the new leader of the US Ryder Cup team, including his goal of becoming a playing captain at Bethpage Black next year
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
Keegan Bradley 'Knowing Tour Trends' Could Help Team USA Fulfil Potential At 2025 Ryder Cup: Xander Schauffele
The World No.3 admitted he was initially "surprised" at Bradley's appointment but believes the relatively-low age of Team USA's new captain could actually prove to be a huge positive
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Report: Tiger Woods Turns Down Ryder Cup Captaincy Ahead Of Tuesday Announcement
The PGA of America has confirmed it will reveal Team USA's next Ryder Cup captain on Tuesday - with Tiger Woods having reportedly ruled himself out of the running to succeed Zach Johnson
By Jonny Leighfield Published