A New Chapter for Keegan Bradley
Keegan Bradley, at 38, has been named captain of the U.S. team for the 2025 Ryder Cup by the PGA of America. Bradley steps into this prestigious role just a year before the Ryder Cup challenge at Bethpage Black, scheduled for next September. The appointment aims to reclaim the Ryder Cup for the United States after their defeat in 2023.
Bradley expressed his enthusiasm in a statement, saying, “I am incredibly honored to accept this opportunity to lead Team USA in the 2025 Ryder Cup… My passion and appreciation for golf’s greatest team event has never been stronger. The Ryder Cup is like no other competition in our sport, and this edition will undoubtedly be particularly special given the rich history and passionate spectators at this iconic course.”
Overcoming Past Disappointments
Bradley’s elevation to the captaincy follows a dramatic exclusion from the 2023 Ryder Cup team. Despite finishing 11th in qualifying with two wins during the 2023 PGA Tour season, he was overlooked by then-captain Zach Johnson for one of the six captain’s picks.
Reflecting on his exclusion, Bradley shared, “I knew from Zach’s (Johnson) response when I got on the phone that I wasn’t on the team… I’m very disappointed. I think I had a really good year with a couple of wins, including in Hartford against a bunch of elite players. I’m proud of what I did. I think (Justin Thomas) is a generational talent. I’ve always been an outsider in this sport, but I’ve tried to get close to the guys that I thought would be on the team. I feel like I should automatically qualify for the Ryder Cup.”
A Storied Ryder Cup History
Although Bradley has only participated in the Ryder Cup twice, he hasn’t been part of the team since 2014. This appointment marks a significant turnaround for a player who has been deeply passionate about the event and has been seeking redemption for more than a decade. Bradley was part of the last American team to lose on home soil in 2012, an event famously known as the Miracle at Medinah. The six-time PGA Tour winner holds a 4-3-0 record in his Ryder Cup appearances.
John Lindert, chairman of the PGA of America, praised Bradley’s appointment, stating, “I am proud and excited to name Keegan Bradley as captain of Team USA for the 2025 Ryder Cup. Keegan’s previous Ryder Cup experience, strong connections and unwavering passion for the event will prove invaluable as he leads Team USA over the next year and a half. We are confident that with Keegan at the helm, Team USA will compete in the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage with the same confidence and determination that has defined his career.”
The Road Ahead
According to Bob Harrig of Sports Illustrated, Tiger Woods was initially offered the role but declined. Woods, a prominent figure with extensive experience in the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, eventually withdrew his name from consideration. This decision coincided with PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh’s announcement that he would not be staying on.
At 39 by the time the tournament begins, Bradley will be the youngest captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team since Arnold Palmer, who was 34 when he captained the team in 1963.
Bradley’s dedication to the Ryder Cup is evident, as he mentioned before last year’s BMW Championship, “I think about the Ryder Cup every second I wake up… The main thing I do now is try not to think about it while I’m playing because it’s important to me. I feel like I can bring some experience to the team. I personally would love to be on a team with this younger group.”
