Rory McIlroy makes huge Ryder Cup statement while firing shot (!) at Keegan Bradley

Rory McIlroy confirmed he has no interest in becoming the 2027 European Ryder Cup captain, and then fired a shot in the direction of 2025 United States Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley at the same time. 

McIlroy, 35, opened with a solid 5-under 65 in the first round of the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick. 

He lies three shots off the early pace, which is currently set by a resurgent Justin Thomas. 

It was the Ulsterman's first round back after three weeks off following his agonising near-miss at the US Open. 

The World No.2 is attempting to become the first player in history to successfully defend the coveted Scottish Open title, which was three years ago turned into a co-sanctioned tournament on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.

But it was McIlroy's comments about the Ryder Cup that drew the biggest headlines on Thursday.

McIlroy's latest words come off the back of shock news Keegan Bradley has been confirmed as the 2025 US Ryder Cup captain.

Bradley, 38, will now go up against Luke Donald, 46, who has once again been given the reigns for Europe. 

McIlroy was asked to comment about whether or not he had any interest in throwing his own hat into the ring to become European captain on home soil at the 2027 Ryder Cup, which will be contested at Adare Manor in Ireland.

When pressed by a reporter if it was still possible to play and captain in the modern era, McIlroy, who will be 38 come the 2027 Ryder Cup, got straight to the point while firing a shot at Bradley in the process.

McIlroy replied: 

"No, absolutely not. 

"I've contemplated it for Adare and no, there's too much work that goes into it. 

"I've seen what Luke [Donald] went through preparing for Rome - there's no way you can be as good a captain as you need to be and be a playing captain as well."

McIlroy then went further by suggesting Bradley may even have to pass the 2025 captaincy to one of his vice-captains should he indeed qualify for the US Ryder Cup team.

Bradley confirmed earlier this week that he still intends to qualify for the team, being extra determined to do so having missed out on a pick in Zach Johnson's defeated 2023 side. 

McIlroy added: 

"It's been mentioned and I've just said no way because it depends: what do you want?

"If you want to be the best captain you can be you can't play, and if you want to be the best player you can be you can't captain.

"It's one or the other, especially with how big the Ryder Cup has become and how many things you have to do in the lead-up to the event, the week of the event.

"Keegan is the 19th ranked player in the world so he's got a great chance of making the team and then, if he does, I think he's just going to have to give that captaincy role to one of his vice-captains."

McIlroy also confirmed he knew of Bradley's confirmation as 2025 US Ryder Cup captain last Sunday night when he met Donald and other European Ryder Cup members for dinner.

He considers the PGA's decision to elect Bradley was a 'reactionary' one to having been convincingly beaten by the Europeans at Marco Simone in Rome last September.

McIlroy said: 

"It seems quite reactionary in terms of what happened in Rome but I don't know. 

"It's an unbelievable opportunity for Keegan and, speaking from a European point of view, it's really nice to have the continuity we've had over the years with vice-captains becoming captains and even [2014 captain] Paul McGinley being a strategic adviser for Bethpage as well.

"Just to have those familiar faces in the room has always been a good thing for us. 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."