DONALD LUCK!

Mcllroy thinks the Americans are quackers to have Bradley as a playing captain and grateful to have Luke in skipper's role for Team Europe

- BY CRAIG SWAN

RORY MCILROY reckons it's vital to have Luke Donald as a figurehead as he waded into the dilemma facing Keegan Bradley.

The European talisman believes the American Ryder Cup skipper is in the right form to play at Bethpage.

But, 12 months ago, McIlroy said it would be impossible for anyone to play and captain at a modern-day Ryder Cup.

He joked that he hopes that's still the case when asked about Bradley's current position, but took a serious tone as he noted the importance of his camp having a clear leader in Donald (right).

After putting himself in contention at the Scottish Open with a second-round 65, McIlroy responded to the quote from a year ago when he quipped: “Hopefully it is impossible!”

But, assessing the importance of having a clear man at the top of the Euro tree, he continued: “They give the captaincy a different perspective.

“It feels like it's a player-led team in America. We have our input as players on the European Team, but we do have that one figurehead in Luke. That's important.

“Even going back to Rome, when the Americans got off to a pretty rough start, because Zach (Johnson) gave the team so much ownership they had no-one to look to.