Ryder Cup 2025 live: USA captain Keegan Bradley resists picking himself to play at Bethpage in major surprise
Team USA captain Keegan Bradley has confirmed his decision to not play as one of six wildcard picks in the Ryder Cup a Bethptage Black
Keegan Bradley resisted the chance to select himself as one of Team USA’s six captain’s picks for the Ryder Cup 2025 in a major surprise.
Bradley, the No. 11 player in the official world golf rankings, has enjoyed a fabulous season, winning at the Travelers Championship to deny Europe stalwart Tommy Fleetwood and eventually finished seventh in the FedEx Cup standings, while sitting 11th in the points standings.
But despite speculation suggesting he would select himself, Bradley opted against creating history and rounded out his 12-player team with Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns.
“The decision was made a while ago,” Bradley said. “The last 48 hours, the team was set, it was a really tough decision, there was a point when I was playing.”
Rory McIlroy had rejected the notion that somebody could effectively be the captain and a player in the iconic competition, but Bradley will not test that view and instead focus on motivating his players at Bethpage Black next month.
Keegan Bradley picks two rookies to round out Team USA for Ryder Cup 2025
A quick reminder of Keegan Bradley’s final Team USA for the Ryder Cup 2025:
- 1. Scottie Scheffler
- 2. JJ Spaun (rookie)
- 3. Xander Schauffele
- 4. Russell Henley (rookie)
- 5. Harris English
- 6. Bryson De Chambeau
- 7. Justin Thomas*
- 8. Collin Morikawa*
- 9. Ben Griffin* (rookie)
- 10. Cameron Young* (rookie)
- 11. Patrick Cantlay*
- 12. Sam Burns*
*Captain’s pick
Keegan Bradley on President Donald Trump wanting him as a playing captain
“That was surreal, I’ve been blown away by the support, when you get the support of the President, it’s surreal, I appreciate it, I hope you’re not disappointed,” Bradley says.
“I look forward to seeing you at the Ryder Cup, when you see that, you wonder how you got to that point your life, I was deeply honoured that he said that.”
Keegan Bradley on fighting urge to be a playing captain
“We made some calls, I’d rather keep that to ourselves,” Bradley says when asked how many calls he made.
“I knew at the back of my mind I just wanted to be the captain, but again, I wanted to do what’s best for the team.
“Continuing at a very high level, I’d have done that. But I truly believed I had to be the captain. I want to leave this process that I did everything I could as a captain, I was worried if I was playing I might not be able to do that.”
Keegan Bradley on data used to make six captain's picks
“We look mostly at who has the lowest score at the end of tournaments,” Bradley says.
“How they would get on at Bethpage, but we want to see them win, the data and analytics won’t matter on the first tee when there are 40,000 fans screaming at you.
“We want guys who can handle the moment and go out and win points.”
Keegan Bradley on lessons learned from growing up in New England
“Growing up in New England, I had a short season and no time to waste, I didn’t want to waste any time, it’s the greatest honour of my lifetime,” Bradley says.
“Everyone will put all they have into the success of this Ryder Cup.
“I had no experience, so I went about this the way I like a team to be run. I leaned on other athletes, this was an off choice, this did this for a reason, so I thought I’ll do this how I think is best.
“One of my favourite things has been getting to know the guys better. The way they handle themselves and care for one another. The way I look at opponents, but they care about one another. I’m really grateful for that.”
Keegan Bradley on leaving out Maverick McNealy
“Very, very difficult call, to call Mav, incredible kid, played well all year long, I was very up front with the guys before,” Bradley said.
“It’s difficult to get a pick in your first event, I’m impressed with his game, I said it’s OK to be angry. You can use this as fuel. Be angry with me and make the next. team.
“I advised to do that and he made a great run, it was a really tough decision.”
Keegan Bradley on deciding format for Ryder Cup 2025
“You look at the data, the team, getting off to a good start, most hosts do alternative format, but our scouts and analysts got together,” Bradley says, with foursomes in the morning and fourballs in the afternoon on Friday and Saturday.
“You run a million different scenarios. It was actually pretty easy.
“If I felt like I needed to play in this team to win, I would have, it was inspiring to see how well these guys played down the stretch. I’ve been in this situation, it’s like Q school every round, it’s horrible.
“You wake up and know it’s a really important round to show the captain. They played some of the best golf of their careers. I’m extremely proud.”
Keegan Bradley relieved to focus on supporting 12 USA players
“Every single guy I called, they were so great, it was great to hear,” Bradley says.
“I experienced only my calls, and I was pissed, but they were friendly.
“Monday was tough for me, I was alongside the guys who did not make the team, but you quickly realise, what a dream to be a Ryder Cup captain, for these 12 guys, I know them so well.
“I showed up at St John’s as a kid, never dreaming of being a Ryder Cup captain, but that’s most important, I don’t care how it works out, as long as we win on Sunday.
“It’s a relief, to focus on this and cheer these guys on.”
Keegan Bradley on 'ruining the dreams' of USA players
“I kept imagining what it was like when I got those calls,” Bradley says.
“I realised I would ruin the dreams of a couple guys, it broke my heart. I’m calling guys I’ll see at the golf course the next day. I’ll be around them for years to come.
“It was short, sweet, to the point, it was really tough. The toughest day of my captaincy for sure.
"We waited until after the Tour Championship, we had a good idea, all the guys we had our eyes on, they played great, which made it a lot easier.”
Keegan Bradley on not playing at Ryder Cup 2025
“I was interested in being the best captain I could be,” Bradley says.
“I don’t care if I play or don’t play, as long as we win on Sunday.
“This is the decision that I’ve made, it’s got so much hype, but the Ryder Cup is a big deal, apparently.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments
Bookmark popover
Removed from bookmarks