Rory McIlroy backs Keegan Bradley for US Ryder Cup team.

Rory McIlroy believes Keegan Bradley could enhance the US Ryder Cup team if he competes at Bethpage Black in September. Bradley, ranked ninth in the US team rankings, is in contention for one of the six automatic qualification spots.

After winning the Travelers Championship in June, Bradley expressed interest in playing at Bethpage, New York. As captain, he could potentially select himself as one of the additional six players for the team.

McIlroy, a key player for the European team, previously thought combining playing with the captaincy was impossible. He now awaits the conclusion of the US team selection process with interest.

Bradley was named captain after Tiger Woods declined the role. He has mentioned the possibility of taking on a dual role with the support of vice-captains Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, Kevin Kisner, and Jim Furyk.

The last player-captain in the Ryder Cup was Arnold Palmer in 1963. McIlroy noted the player-led dynamic of the US team, contrasting it with the European team led by Luke Donald. Donald, who captained Europe to victory in Rome two years ago, continues to lead the team in the upcoming competition on US soil.