Rory McIlroy has laid down the Ryder Cup gauntlet by insisting the idea of a playing captain cannot work. Team USA’s qualifying race ends this week at the BMW Championship in Chicago, the hours ticking down to Keegan Bradley’s eagerly awaited decision on whether to name himself as one of his team picks.

Bradley's approach to the captaincy and presence week-to-week on the PGA Tour has bought him grace with his players

Ryder Cup veterans Patrick Cantlay and Rickie Fowler believe Keegan Bradley has already done enough on the course this season to be on the 12-player roster.