Keegan Bradley, who was introduced as U.S. Ryder Cup captain two weeks in the past, simply introduced his first transfer in creating his crew for Bethpage.
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Keegan Bradley fulfilled a promise when the shock U.S. Ryder Cup captain introduced the primary member of his crew.
“I’m going to take a recent take a look at vice captains,” Bradley mentioned at his introductory press convention on July 9. “They’re going to be rather a lot youthful, nearer to enjoying.”
On Tuesday, Webb Simpson was named as one among Bradley’s vice captains for the 2025 occasion at Bethpage Black in New York. He’s the primary of what is going to doubtless be 5 vice captains on the crew.
At 38 years outdated, Simpson is similar age as Bradley. Final 12 months, U.S. captain Zach Johnson was 47 years outdated when the occasion was performed. The typical age of his 5 vice captains in Rome — Steve Stricker, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk, Fred {Couples} and Stewart Cink — was 56.
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“Webb is somebody who I’ve lengthy admired and revered as a competitor and buddy,” Bradley mentioned. “He possesses a wealth of crew golf expertise and is aware of what it takes to win. Webb shall be a invaluable member of our management crew and a trusted useful resource for me as we put together for Bethpage Black subsequent September.”
Simpson, who has received seven instances on the PGA Tour (together with the 2012 U.S. Open), performed in three Ryder Cups (2012, 2014, 2018) and compiled a 4-4-1 profession document. He was additionally a member of Presidents Cup groups in 2011, 2013 and 2019.
That is Simpson’s first time as a vice captain.
“I’m honored to be chosen by Keegan to function a vice captain in 2025,” Simpson mentioned. “Competing in three Ryder Cups will ceaselessly be amongst my profession highlights. I’ve little doubt that Keegan shall be a improbable captain and an incredible chief, and couldn’t be extra excited to get to work as we search to reclaim the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.”
Bradley was seen as a shock captain’s choose, and the job turned his when Tiger Woods mentioned he wasn’t within the gig this 12 months. Whereas Bradley would possibly deliver some new, youthful vitality to the squad, he’s by no means been a vice captain or captain earlier than. At his preliminary press convention two weeks in the past, nonetheless, he mentioned he wasn’t anxious in regards to the lack of expertise.
“I feel that I’m going to be on the market with the blokes. I’m going to be enjoying in the identical tournaments they’re going to be enjoying in. I’m going to be enjoying in majors with them,” he mentioned. “I’m going to be enjoying week-to-week, I’ll be alongside these guys within the locker room, apply rounds, dinner. Versus up to now with the Ryder Cup they acquired to fly in, they acquired to schedule all these items and I’m going to have a 12 months of being with the blokes as a peer.
“It’s an excellent honor that my friends selected me to do that,” he continued, “and, you recognize, I don’t have the expertise that loads of the opposite captains had, however I do know these guys rather well. I’m related to those guys and I see them week-to-week.”
