Keegan Bradley was introduced Monday as the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup captain. He’ll lead the American aspect in opposition to the Europeans because the U.S. appears to avenge its loss final yr at Marco Simone outdoors Rome, Italy.
Listed below are some solutions to questions you may need in regards to the future matches and Bradley (click on right here for our most up-to-date Ryder Cup 101).
When is the 2025 Ryder Cup?
The biennial competitors will happen Sept. 26-28 on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York.
Who’s Keegan Bradley?
Personally, he’s a 38-year-old, married (Jillian) PGA Tour skilled with two children. He was born June 7, 1986, in Woodstock, Vermont and at the moment resides in Jupiter, Florida. Bradley is a die-hard Boston sports activities followers who does have some N.Y. ties as he performed golf at St. John’s College. His aunt is World Golf Corridor of Fame member Pat Bradley.
Professionally, he’s a six-time Tour winner, most just lately on the 2023 Vacationers Championship, the place he received his “hometown” main. He additionally has an actual main to his credit score. Bradley, as a Tour rookie making his main debut, received the 2011 PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Membership in a playoff over Jason Dufner.
What’s Bradley’s Ryder Cup historical past?
He has twice performed for Staff USA, qualifying in 2012 and being a captain’s decide in ’14. The U.S. misplaced each matches with the ‘12 version often known as the European’s “Miracle at Medinah,” during which the away workforce overcame a 10-6 deficit in Sunday singles to prevail. Bradley went 3-1-0 that week, shedding his singles match to Rory McIlroy. He went 1-2-0 in ’14 because the U.S. misplaced by 5 factors in Gleneagles, Scotland.
Lately, Bradley has been identified extra for being the odd man out. He was a powerful consideration for a wildcard decide final yr however didn’t get the decision he wished from then captain Zach Johnson, as proven throughout Netflix’s second season of “Full Swing.”
Why was he chosen to be the subsequent U.S. captain?
Let’s come again to that one and first deal with the one under:
Why isn’t Tiger Woods the 2025 captain at Bethpage?
It seemingly made sense. Woods, who can be 49 on the time of subsequent yr’s matches, received the 2002 U.S. Open on the Black Course. As soon as N.Y. darling Phil Mickelson, who bolted to LIV Golf a few years in the past, was out of the captaincy combine, all eyes had been on Tiger. However after publicly hemming and hawing in latest months, Woods declined. We’ll know extra on the explanation why within the coming days, as he’s scheduled to compete in The Open and can meet with media, however Woods is entrenched within the Tour-Saudi PIF dealings and is making an attempt to squeeze out any remaining taking part in days he has.
Bradley was tabbed because the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup captain, a wild-card decide by the PGA that might show to be genius.
So, again to Bradley: Why him?
The U.S. Ryder Cup workforce has lengthy been accused of being a boys’ membership. After Tom Watson’s disastrous stint in ’14, the leaders had been Davis Love III (once more), Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker and Johnson. Love and Stricker received (each at dwelling), whereas Furyk and Johnson misplaced (each on the street). All had been a part of the post-2014 activity power and none had been a shock. Self-admittedly, Bradley wasn’t one of many boys. However following a disheartening loss in Italy, the PGA wished somebody outdoors the field, somebody with fireplace and spirit to match the New York depth. That was Bradley. Paradoxically, Bradley’s chief Ryder Cup success got here as Mickelson’s accomplice, going 4-1-0 collectively.
Who was handed over for U.S. captaincy?
Among the main candidates had been Webb Simpson, Matt Kuchar and Stewart Cink. All would have been thought-about protected decisions by the PGA, barely older gamers with extra Ryder Cup expertise and who had been extra linked to the paperwork.
Will Woods ever be captain?
The 2027 matches are at Adare Manor in Eire. Woods, a three-time Open champion, has enterprise connections with the positioning’s proprietor, J.P. McManus. It might make extra sense for Woods to be captain there (the place he’d additionally attempt to finish a U.S. street shedding streak relationship to 1993) than in 2029 at Hazeltine in Minnesota.
Might Bradley be a taking part in captain in 2025?
He’s eligible to do each and nothing, outdoors his personal determination, may stop him from both qualifying or choosing himself. Bradley is at the moment 24th on the U.S. factors listing with qualifying standards but to be revealed. Whereas Woods was a taking part in captain for the victorious 2019 U.S. Presidents Cup workforce, there hasn’t been a Ryder Cup taking part in captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963 (the U.S. received, 23-9).
