Masters champion Rory McIlroy said Wednesday he rejected the suggestion he could serve as playing captain at a Ryder Cup “sometime soon,” saying he thinks combining roles is too onerous.

“I’ve ben asked to do that, and I’ve turned it down,” the Northern Ireland star said as he spoke to reporters prior to the US PGA Tour BMW Championship in Maryland.

McIlroy will spearhead the European challenge against the United States when the match play showdown is held at Bethpage Black in New York September 26-28.

Luke Donald will captain the Europeans and the US captain is Keegan Bradley, whose strong form in 2025 has the 39-year-old in 10th place in the qualification standings.

After he won the Travelers Championship Bradley acknowledged he would consider casting himself as the first playing cap

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