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 be like to avenge its loss final yr at Marco Simone exterior Rome, Italy.
Listed below are some solutions to questions you might 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 youngsters. 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 lately on the 2023 Vacationers Championship, the place he gained his “hometown” main. He additionally has an actual main to his credit score. Bradley, as a Tour rookie making his main debut, gained 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 Workforce 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,” wherein the away staff overcame a 10-6 deficit in Sunday singles to prevail. Bradley went 3-1-0 that week, dropping his singles match to Rory McIlroy. He went 1-2-0 in ’14 because the U.S. misplaced by 5 factors in Gleneagles, Scotland.
Just lately, Bradley has been recognized extra for being the odd man out. He was a robust consideration for a wildcard decide final yr however didn’t get the decision he needed 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 tackle the one under:
Why isn’t Tiger Woods the 2025 captain at Bethpage?
It seemingly made sense. Woods, who could be 49 on the time of subsequent yr’s matches, gained 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 the reason 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.
So, again to Bradley: Why him?
The U.S. Ryder Cup staff 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 gained (each at house), whereas Furyk and Johnson misplaced (each on the highway). All had been a part of the post-2014 process drive and none had been a shock. Self-admittedly, Bradley wasn’t one of many boys. However following a disheartening loss in Italy, the PGA needed somebody exterior the field, somebody with fireplace and spirit to match the New York depth. That was Bradley. Satirically, Bradley’s chief Ryder Cup success got here as Mickelson’s companion, 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 secure 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 could make extra sense for Woods to be captain there (the place he’d additionally attempt to finish a U.S. highway dropping streak courting 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, exterior his personal choice, might forestall him from both qualifying or selecting himself. Bradley is at the moment 24th on the U.S. factors record with qualifying standards but to be revealed. Whereas Woods was a taking part in captain for the victorious 2019 U.S. Presidents Cup staff, there hasn’t been a Ryder Cup taking part in captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963 (the U.S. gained, 23-9).
