The PGA of America has reportedly chosen its captain to steer Staff USA on the Ryder Cup subsequent fall at Bethpage Black.
It’s a somewhat outside-the-box choice. Keegan Bradley—the person Zach Johnson snubbed a yr in the past—will reportedly captain the American aspect at Bethpage Black, per Bob Harig of Sports activities Illustrated.
Bradley has competed within the Ryder Cup twice, experiencing defeat on each events. In his Ryder Cup debut, he witnessed the Europeans storm again on Sunday to win the competitors at Medinah in 2012. Then, two years later, Staff Europe defeated the Individuals at Gleneagles in Scotland, 16.5-to-11.5, as Phil Mickelson famously disparaged Staff USA chief Tom Watson within the aftermath.
However now Bradley, who has suffered gut-punch after gut-punch all through his Ryder Cup profession—with none extra important than final yr—can have a chance for the last word redemption story. He’ll lead the American aspect at Bethpage Black, lower than 25 miles from the place he performed collegiate golf at St. John’s College. He additionally loves this competitors greater than anything in golf, a testomony to his patriotism, drive, and adoration for team-match play.
“I take into consideration the Ryder Cup each second I’m awake, principally,” Bradley stated forward of final yr’s BMW Championship, a number of weeks earlier than Johnson ignored him for the likes of Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, and Sam Burns.
Bradley gained twice through the 2022-23 season, together with on the Vacationers Championship, the Signature Occasion in his native New England. He completed eleventh within the last Staff USA Ryder Cup standings, finalized after the 2023 Tour Championship.
“I’m tremendous bummed out,” Bradley stated after he didn’t make the group.
“I assumed I put collectively a extremely good yr with two wins, together with [one] in Hartford over an elite subject. I’m pleased with what I’ve accomplished… I’ve at all times been an outsider within the sport, however I’ve tried to get nearer to the fellows I assumed can be on the group. I really feel like transferring ahead, I’m going to must mechanically qualify for the Ryder Cup. [That said,] I’m [still] pulling for the U.S. Staff.”
Bradley is not going to must qualify for subsequent yr’s biennial competitors at Bethpage Black. As a substitute, he would be the gatekeeper, the person who will finally resolve which gamers make the group.
Different attainable candidates included Stewart Cink and Fred {Couples}, however the PGA of America has determined to go in a unique course, one which Shakespeare would marvel at if Bradley may help information the Individuals to victory.
However not dissimilar to how Shakespearean tales have shocked readers for hundreds of years, golf followers have voiced their astonishment amid Harig’s report about Bradley:
He goes from lower to captain? Kinda prefer it, want him to carry all hitters
— Wabes (@__wabes) July 8, 2024
After all, many golf followers displayed their exceptional humorousness, with some even speaking about Spieth and Thomas:
Going to snort my ass off when Speith and Thomas are left at dwelling.
— The Golfpro (@the_golfpro) July 8, 2024
Others additionally authorized of the choice:
Keegan Bradley’s coronary heart was ripped out when ZJ stated he wouldn’t be on the 2023 group.
Within the warmth of the second, he dealt with the information with grace, class, and maturity. His dedication to supporting his nation is exceptional, and that’s why he’ll make one hell of a captain. #RyderCup
— Mitch Bach (@MitchBach) July 8, 2024
He’s truly acquired balls and needs to compete. Guys previously, like Zach Johnson, love the title and enjoyable of it. That’s not how the Europeans strategy it and it isn’t how the U.S. ought to.
I’d love if it’s Keegan Bradley. Give this group some hearth.
— thomas steez (@notorioussteez) July 8, 2024
That makes loads of sense. Possibly the most effective use for Keegan Bradley. I dare say golfers would unite in believing that having that man on the wall on your group helps you sleep at night time. Very robust Payne Stewart vibes. And I’ve lengthy believed his loss has helped cripple our RC groups
— Tom Stoner (@tstoner4) July 8, 2024
Different followers referenced Bradley’s Ryder Cup bag from Medinah, which has remained closed and sealed for the reason that 2012 Ryder Cup.
That is my suitcase from 2012 Ryder Cup that I haven’t opened since that Sunday. I promised myself I wouldn’t open it until I gained a Ryder Cup.
That week modified my potential on golf without end. The Ryder Cup out of the blue turned crucial to me. pic.twitter.com/RFN6mqeiWH— Keegan Bradley (@Keegan_Bradley) August 30, 2023
So, some followers referenced these superstitions:
Does this imply he is allowed to open that Ryder Cup bag now?
(I sort of like this; no person’s going to take it extra critically than Keegan.) https://t.co/pyRVWU9Qx9
— Chris Parish (@cparish.bsky.social) (@TheChrisParish) July 8, 2024
If Keegan Bradley doesn’t carry the suitcase to the NYSE tomorrow morning and unzip it on nationwide TV then what are we even doing right here
— PJ Clark (@TheRealPJClark) July 8, 2024
After which there’s one fan who asks a wonderfully cheap query, particularly contemplating Bradley’s New England roots:
A Boston Pink Sox fan goes to captain the group in New York? Are you kidding me?
— Brian Gardner (@Brian_F_Gardner) July 8, 2024
At any fee, no person noticed this resolution coming. Regardless, Bradley will put his coronary heart and soul into main the U.S. Staff, which he dearly loves and admires.
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. You should definitely take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You may comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.
