- Keegan Bradley has been named the captain of the United States for the Ryder Cup.
- However, Bradley is in the mix to be the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963.
- Bradley has six captain’s picks to make on Wednesday, August 27.
Keegan Bradley is the American captain for the Ryder Cup, but he finished T7 in the FedEx Cup standings. He could be the first playing captain since the great Arnold Palmer in 1963.
Bradley has to make his captain’s picks on Wednesday, August 27, meaning he has a busy couple of days ahead!
Bradley’s Strong Season Could Have Him Playing at Bethpage Black
Bradley acknowledges he’ll have a tough call to make this week.
The 39-year-old American and 2011 PGA Championship winner had an excellent 2025 campaign. In 21 starts, Bradley had 11 top-25 finishes and six top-10s. Bradley also won the Travelers Championship in June, which was his second time winning what he claims is his hometown tournament.
Bradley flirted with a run at the Tour Championship, shooting a 64 and 63 on Friday and Saturday, respectively. However, he admitted he was “just dead tired today” on Sunday, and Bradley shot a 70. But still, Bradley finished T7 for the tournament and in the FedEx Cup standings.
Bradley now has to make a massive decision about whether he’ll play for the Ryder Cup team, of which he is the captain. There hasn’t been a playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963, and Bradley surely knows that. There are a few players who are likely locks to be captain’s picks, such as Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, and Patrick Cantlay. After that, there is a path for Bradley to make modern golf history.
Will Bradley Actually Name Himself to the Team?
Bradley is keeping his cards close to his chest for now, and he’ll be in touch with his vice captains, Kim Furyk, Kevin Kisner, Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, and Gary Woodland. If Bradley were to be a playing captain, he would have to delegate more responsibilities to his vice captains.
Furyk was the captain of the US team that rolled over the International team in the 2024 Presidents Cup. He was also the captain of an American team that got clobbered by Europe in the 2018 World Cup.
Furyk can probably speak to the pressure Bradley will be under at Bethpage Black next year when the tournament kicks off, especially as the Americans are favored in the Ryder Cup odds. There is a lot for the captain to do, watching over all 12 members of the team. Can Bradley be focused on what he has to do as a player, and as a captain?
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