There may have been a couple motives behind McIlroy's recent take on what may happen for the American side in 2025

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Rory McIlroy believes the Ryder Cup has become too big of an event for a captain to play in the matches and said Wednesday he already shot down the idea when approached about doing it himself someday. But he is no less fascinated by the conundrum facing U.S. captain Keegan Bradley.

Rory McIlroy has spent much of the last decade as the emotional leader and constant on Europe’s Ryder Cup teams, making his future as a captain an inevitability. He said on Wednesday, however, that it will not be until he’s done as a player.