Keegan Bradley, who was introduced as U.S. Ryder Cup captain two weeks in the past, simply introduced his first transfer in creating his staff for Bethpage.
Getty Pictures
Keegan Bradley fulfilled a promise when the shock U.S. Ryder Cup captain introduced the primary member of his staff.
“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 so much youthful, nearer to taking part in.”
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 probably be 5 vice captains on the staff.
At 38 years previous, Simpson is identical age as Bradley. Final 12 months, U.S. captain Zach Johnson was 47 years previous when the occasion was performed. The common age of his 5 vice captains in Rome — Steve Stricker, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk, Fred {Couples} and Stewart Cink — was 56.
Keegan Bradley’s beautiful Ryder Cup captaincy? Right here’s who engineered it
“Webb is somebody who I’ve lengthy admired and revered as a competitor and good friend,” Bradley mentioned. “He possesses a wealth of staff golf expertise and is aware of what it takes to win. Webb will likely be a beneficial member of our management staff and a trusted useful resource for me as we put together for Bethpage Black subsequent September.”
Simpson, who has gained seven occasions 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 report. 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 endlessly be amongst my profession highlights. I’ve little question that Keegan will likely be a unbelievable captain and an amazing 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 grew to become his when Tiger Woods mentioned he wasn’t within the gig this 12 months. Whereas Bradley would possibly convey some new, youthful power 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 fearful concerning the lack of expertise.
“I believe that I’m going to be on the market with the fellows. I’m going to be taking part in in the identical tournaments they’re going to be taking part in in. I’m going to be taking part in in majors with them,” he mentioned. “I’m going to be taking part in week-to-week, I’ll be alongside these guys within the locker room, follow rounds, dinner. Versus previously with the Ryder Cup they received to fly in, they received to schedule all this stuff and I’m going to have a 12 months of being with the fellows as a peer.
“It’s an amazing honor that my friends selected me to do that,” he continued, “and, you already know, I don’t have the expertise that a whole lot of the opposite captains had, however I do know these guys very well. I’m linked to those guys and I see them week-to-week.”
