Rory McIlroy Eyes Future Ryder Cup Captaincy, Prefers Later Role
Rory McIlroy expressed his desire to serve as captain of the European Ryder Cup team, though he hopes that opportunity does not present itself in 2027. As he prepares for the upcoming DP World India Championship, McIlroy reflects on his career and acknowledges the influence of recent captains while highlighting the importance of staying competitive.
The 36-year-old golfer will make his first appearance since Europe’s dramatic 15-13 victory over the United States at Bethpage Black in September. The championship, which begins on Thursday, features a strong lineup, including fellow Ryder Cup notables such as Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, Victor Hovland, and current captain Luke Donald.
“I would love to be the European captain at some point,” McIlroy stated. “But that will be beyond my playing days, or at least when my playing days are coming to an end and I’m not good enough to make the team or I make way for the new generation to come along. Hopefully that’s not in 2027! Hopefully, I’m still good enough to play and put points on the board for Europe.”
McIlroy, who has had the privilege of playing under some of the greatest captains in Ryder Cup history, praised the innovative leadership of Luke Donald. He noted the dedication Donald has shown over the past four years, which has earned him the respect of the entire team. “If I can be nearly as good a captain as Luke Donald, I’ll have done a good job,” McIlroy added.
With the Race to Dubai approaching its conclusion, McIlroy is currently positioned as the frontrunner for the title, seeking to secure it for the fourth consecutive year. He leads the rankings with 4,084.56 points, ahead of Marco Penge, who has 3,691.24 points, and Tyrrell Hatton with 2,866.08 points. McIlroy remarked on Penge’s impressive performance this season, stating, “Marco’s had a fantastic year, and everyone’s so happy to see how well he’s played.”
The competition is heating up as McIlroy aims to maintain his lead going into the final events of the year. “Every week counts. This is a big week to try to give myself that little cushion,” he said, acknowledging the importance of the upcoming tournament in India.
Luke Donald, who has led the European team to success in the last two Ryder Cups, shared his thoughts on McIlroy’s potential future as a captain. “He loves the Ryder Cup more than anything,” Donald said. “Anyone that has that passion for a Ryder Cup I think would make a good captain.” He also expressed his willingness to support the next captain in any capacity, should he not lead the team in 2025.
The DP World India Championship promises to be an exciting event, featuring not only McIlroy but also American major winner Brian Harman and rising star Ben Griffin, who made his Ryder Cup debut this year. Coverage of the tournament will be available live on Sky Sports from Thursday to Sunday, with day one starting at 07:30 hours.
As McIlroy prepares for this pivotal event, fans will be eager to see if he can continue his strong form and lay the groundwork for a successful finish to the season.
