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Rory McIlroy admits he was left in ‘disbelief’ by Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup appointment

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On Monday, the world of golf was put into collective disbelief when Keegan Bradley was appointed as the 2025 United States team Ryder Cup captain. The vast majority of fans and media lauded the choice, but it was a surprising one, nonetheless.

During his pre-tournament press conference, Rory McIlroy, who was the leading point scorer in the 2023 Ryder Cup, was asked for his thoughts on the Bradley appointment.

“I think it has come as a surprise for everyone. We had dinner in London on Sunday night with Luke [Donald], and he told us then.

“Its’ an interesting appointment. The youngest captain since Arnold Palmer I think was a playing captain as 34. But he knows Bethpage very well. He went to university in the area. He’s obviously very passionate about the Ryder Cup.

‘It’s certainly a departure from what the US have done over the last few years, and time will tell if that’s a good thing or not.”

When he was asked how the room reacted while the European team was out to dinner, he said “disbelief.”

“I think disbelief, probably. I think Keegan was probably in disbelief, at some point, too, but it’s certainly an interesting pick.”

McIlroy got off to a hot start at the Scottish Open, where he is the defending champion. He will have to chase down Ludvig Aberg, who is leading after he completed his first 36 holes.

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‘The rules need to be enforced’ – Nelly Korda on slow play on the LPGA Tour

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Slow play has once again become a topic of discussion in professional golf. Earlier this week, LIV Golf’s Thomas Pieters said he believes players on the DP World Tour are “cheating” due to the fact that they are knowingly taking more time to hit their shots than the rules allow.

Yesterday, LPGA Tour superstar, Nelly Korda, spoke on the subject of slow play as well.

The 25-year-old is preparing for the Evian Championship this week, where Carlota Ciganda was disqualified last year for slow play.

After last year’s event, Nelly supported the decision that led to Ciganda’s disqualification.

“I really like Carlota. She’s a great person. I enjoy playing with her. I am a fast player, but I would say at the end of the day the rules of golf are the rules of golf, and it’s good that it’s being enforced.”

This week at her pre-tournament press conference, she doubled down on her stance.

“If I was a spectator and I was out here for five-and-a-half hours to six hours, you know, it’s tough to watch. You want to watch a sport that’s continuously moving and not continuously stalling. I would say I think it’s really important for the rules officials to enforce the rules of golf.”

“I just think the faster people play is better for the game,” Korda said. “The rules need to be enforced and we have seen that. I think the LPGA Tour is doing a better job. I still think there is some room for improvement, and it’s going to be better for the game of golf if there aren’t three groups on one hole.

“I know there is tough golf courses and conditions too that you need to take into account. But at the end of the day, the more we improve the pace of play the more people are going to be interested in watching, coming out and not just watching on TV.”

Korda comes into the major championship missing her last three cuts after winning six of eight events to start the season.

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‘Never thought I would say this…’ – NFL star Sauce Gardner makes huge claim after picking up golf

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NFL cornerback, Sauce Gardner, has recently caught the golf bug and has documented his early golf journey on social media.

The New York Jets star took to X once again on Wednesday, saying golf was harder than football.

“Never thought I would say this, but golf is harder than football.”

I don’t think many would disagree with Gardner’s revelation, but it’s interesting to see a football player say it, nonetheless.

One account, “LIV Golf Insider”, replied to Gardner and it seemed to resonate with the way most fans feel.

“Nobody on the planet thinks football is harder to play than golf.”

Gardner is running out of time to work on his golf game with football season right around the corner.

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Jon Rahm gives refreshing answer when asked to rate his season ahead of LIV Golf Andalucia

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Prior to the 2024 season, LIV Golf signed Jon Rahm for a mega deal reported to be in the range of $600 million. Rahm currently sits second in the LIV Golf individual season standings, but many would argue he’s underachieved so far this season.

The Spaniard is yet to win a LIV event and has also been extremely disappointing in majors as well. He finished T45 at The Masters as the defending champion, missed the cut at the PGA Championship and was forced to withdraw from the U.S. Open with an infection in his toe.

LIV Critics have attributed Rahm’s lack of major success to the fact that the LIV schedule is lighter and doesn’t require the players to practice as much as they had previously. At this week’s pre-tournament press conference at Valderrama for LIV Andalucia, Rahm was asked if the move to LIV is the primary reason for his struggles.

“Is the format less competitive than before?” said the reporter.

“No.” Rahm answered.

“It’s not easy to win golf tournaments, I’ve been close. I just haven’t gotten it done.”

While he didn’t attribute his less than stellar season to being on a new tour, he did admit it wasn’t his best when asked to rate his performance this season.

“There’s been weeks where I feel like I scored a lot better than I felt.”

“And there’s been a couple weeks where it could have been better.

“I haven’t won yet so that would deduct quite a bit from it.

“I would say maybe six to a seven out of 10 if I had to say. But the year is not over.

“[There is] still a lot to play for.

“It would not be unheard of to see a player finish strong and change that to maybe a nine out of 10.”

Rahm will begin his quest to turn his 2024 season into a “nine out of 10” this week in his home country at LIV Golf Andalucia.

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