For the 38-year-old Bradley, who based on his 2011 PGA victory would be qualified to be in the field this week anyway, he still holds onto at least the slight chance of playing well enough to qualify on points as a player for the team he captains.
And now, here Rory McIlroy is this week, about to play the PGA Championship, which begins Thursday at Quail Hollow, without stress or questions that need to be answered about his career or his game.