Returning Rory McIlroy shares shock at Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup captaincy

• McIlroy makes clear he will not be player-captain in 2027
• Northern Irishman opens Scottish Open with solid 65

Rory McIlroy believes the United States will need to switch Ryder Cup captains if Keegan Bradley qualifies to play next year at Bethpage. Bradley, who is 38, was the shock choice to lead the US after Tiger Woods turned down the opportunity. McIlroy said the news was met with disbelief" when relayed to European players by their captain, Luke Donald, at a dinner on Sunday.

As a current player, the possibility of Bradley combining roles in New York has been mooted. McIlroy regards such a scenario as impossible; the idea was even suggested to the Northern Irishmanfor the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Ireland but he immediately ruled it out.