After much anticipation, the 2025 Ryder Cup is set to commence next Friday, September 26th, at Bethpage Black. The tournament will wrap up on Sunday, and a well-known caddie who has transitioned to a broadcasting role believes the Ryder Cup captains should collaborate for a unique finish to the event.
Jim “Bones” Mackay Proposes a Break from Tradition for the Ryder Cup
Jim “Bones” Mackay, who has long been associated with Phil Mickelson as his caddie, shared his thoughts, suggesting that the Ryder Cup captains should work together to create an exciting conclusion to the matches. Mackay made his remarks during a conference call with NBC Sports on Wednesday.
While he has been a part of numerous Ryder Cups, this year, Mackay will not be in the U.S. team’s quarters at Bethpage Black. Instead, he will be serving as an on-course reporter for NBC Sports.
Mackay’s Vision for Sunday Singles Matches
During the call, Mackay expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament, calling it “my favorite event… in all of sports.” He proposed that captains Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald, both friends, should consider having World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler face off against World No. 2 Rory McIlroy in the Sunday singles matches if the tournament remains competitive.
Mackay believes that arranging for these top players to face each other would elevate the excitement on the final day. He stated, “If the competition is tight, it would dramatically increase the interest and thrill surrounding Sunday’s play.”
Breaking Down the Uniqueness of Mackay’s Proposal
Mackay’s idea is notable because, in the Ryder Cup, captains usually make their singles match decisions privately without coordinating. As a result, it requires a significant deviation from protocol for Bradley and Donald to agree on pairing Scheffler and McIlroy.
For this to happen, both captains would need to bypass traditional rules by collaborating on the matchups beforehand, which is uncommon in Ryder Cup history. Mackay believes that doing so would create a memorable matchup and enhance the event’s spirit.
Controversy from the Previous Ryder Cup
Mackay’s involvement in the Ryder Cups has not been without controversy. During the last tournament, he found himself at the center of a heated incident involving Rory McIlroy. The altercation escalated following a celebration by the U.S. team, which irked McIlroy, leading to a confrontation later in the evening. Mackay was seen attempting to de-escalate the situation as tensions flared.
The post has continued the conversation surrounding the Ryder Cup, inviting further discussion on its traditions and innovations in the future.
