Keegan Bradley confirmed his captain’s picks for the United States Ryder Cup team on Wednesday, ending a long-running saga and speculation over who might get the call to play Bethpage Black
Keegan Bradley confirmed the U.S. team to contest the Ryder Cup, ending months of speculation(Image: Ryder Cup)
Keegan Bradley is pleased to have ended speculation surrounding his Team USA selections for the Ryder Cup.
The 2025 Ryder Cup will take place at the revered Bethpage Black next month. Anticipation has been steadily building, and fever for the biennial tournament has taken hold since Tommy Fleetwood dramatically won the Tour Championship last week.
The United States wants to reclaim the trophy after losing to Marco Simeone in Rome in 2023. On Wednesday, Bradley was at the center of a media conference to announce his picks and confirm the team set to battle Luke Donald’s Europe in New York.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler booked his place on the team some time ago, and he is preparing for his third Ryder Cup appearance after winning at Whistling Straits in 2021 and losing at Marco Simeone in 2023.
Scheffler was joined on Team USA by US Open champion J.J. Spaun and two-time major winner Xander Schauffele.
The other automatic spots were claimed by Russell Henley, Harris English, and LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau. Then, Bradley shunned the opportunity to become the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer as he decided not to pick himself despite playing his way into contention.
On Wednesday, Bradley confirmed his captain’s picks: Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay, and Sam Burns. Bradley would have been under consideration had he not been named captain, and was immediately asked about the decision not to pick himself.
“This was a really tough decision. I would say there was a point this year where I was playing, a while ago, and all these guys stepped up in a major way and played their way onto this team. I’m really happy with these six players,” Bradley said.
Keegan Bradley decided not to pick himself as he named his captain’s picks(Image: Getty Images)
He added: “I’m glad it’s over.”
Bradley was ranked 11th overall in the U.S. Ryder Cup rankings but decided not to pick himself. Other notable snubs include Maverick McNealy, ranked 10th overall in Ryder Cup points, and 2023 Open champion Brian Harman, ranked 12th overall.
Each member of the U.S. team acknowledged Bradley’s impressive decision not to pick himself. Thomas told reporters: “I know he’s gutted (not to play), and I think all of us are gutted for him.
“But at the same time, I would say him leading us to a victory will be cooler than any experience he could have as a player, and that’s probably what he feels like is best for us. So we have all the faith in the world, and we don’t doubt him for one second for that.”
Bradley’s USA is looking to win back the Ryder Cup, which they lost to their European rivals two years ago. The 2025 Ryder Cup will be held at Bethpage Black in New York between September 26 and 28.
