Rory McIlroy says people are remembering Ryder Cup 'for the wrong reason'

McIlroy ruled out becoming Team Europe Ryder Cup captain until the "mid-2030s".

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025 - 10:44

PJ Browne

Rory McIlroy says he doesn’t see himself captaining the European Ryder Cup team until at least a decade from now. The world number two, who has previously said a playing captain role would be unworkable, ruled out taking the job for the tournament at Adare Manor. Luke Donald, who has captained Europe in their two recent victories, remained coy when asked about the captaincy on Monday.

"Certainly not 2027," McIlroy said ahead of the Hero Indian Open.

"I hope I'm still playing at that point. I would love to be The European Team Captain at some point. 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 one day in the future, but I'd say not until the mid-2030s, hopefully, if I can keep playing well."

McIlroy believes the focus following Europe's victory at Bethpage Black has been overly centred on the abuse which players took from fans.

"I've been following the sort of narrative coming out of of the Ryder Cup just like everyone else," said McIlroy.

"But unfortunately, I think it takes away from what we focused on which is what an incredible performance it was by the European team.

"Obviously as I'm playing my matches, I'm focused on trying to win my point. You know, you see that the other guys are winning their matches or they are doing well but you don't realise how well they are playing.

"So just over the last two weeks, being able to watch the highlights and just see, especially those first two days, in the foursomes and the four-balls how good the European team were. The Americans would hit it close; we hit it closer. The Americans hole a putt and we hole a putt to top it and it happened every single time.

"The unfortunate thing is people aren't remembering that and they are remembering the week for the wrong reason. I would like to shift the narrative and focus on how good the European team were and how proud I was to be part of that team to win an away Ryder Cup."

McIlroy is playing the Indian Open for the first time this week. He tees off Thursday alongside fellow Ryder Cup players Viktor Hovland and Ben Griffin. Shane Lowry, who has been grouped with Luke Donald and Tommy Fleetwood, will also play at the New Delhi course, as will Conor Purcell.

"18-odd years into a professional career and to still be able to do things for the first time is something that excites me," said McIlroy.

"I'd love to go watch a cricket match. I don't think there's anything on until next month maybe. I'd love to come back and do that. I mean, I'm a bit of a sicko; I love sitting down and watching test matches.

"I'm going to be in Australia later this year, and The Ashes is going to be on. So that's something I'm quite excited (about). I don't think I'll be able to get to a game but I'd love to do that."