New U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley stated that he’s seeking to fill out subsequent 12 months’s group with the 12 greatest American gamers – no matter their tour affiliation.
In his introductory press convention Tuesday in New York, Bradley stated that he’ll consider gamers on each the PGA Tour and LIV when rounding out his squad.
“I’m going to have the 12 greatest gamers on the group. I don’t care the place they play,” Bradley stated. “We’ve a mission to win this event. I’m not fearful concerning the LIV stuff. I need the very best gamers on the group.”
Bradley’s feedback represented a stark distinction to the method of his predecessor, Zach Johnson, who at instances sounded dismissive of a LIV participant’s possibilities of making the Ryder Cup group. His tone finally softened final summer time as soon as Brooks Koepka completed runner-up on the 2023 Masters and gained the PGA Championship. For months, Koepka was among the many high points-earners however finally fell simply outdoors the top-6 qualifying spots and wanted a captain’s decide.
The same state of affairs might unfold subsequent 12 months, with Bryson DeChambeau already boasting a powerful main report in 2024 that features his victory on the U.S. Open.
It stays to be seen, too, whether or not the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, which is funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund, will nonetheless be at odds by fall 2025, with the 2 sides presently working towards a deal that may unify the game.
To be eligible for the Ryder Cup, a U.S. participant have to be a member of the PGA of America.
“I’ll have to attend and see how every thing shakes out,” Bradley stated, “and my largest concern is having the very best gamers on the group.”
Bradley was a beautiful selection for the appointment however solely after the group’s high selections fell by way of. For years, it was broadly assumed that that 2025 captaincy would go to Phil Mickelson, who was a beloved presence in New York throughout the two U.S. Opens held at Bethpage Black. However Mickelson fell out of favor after he turned one of many upstart league’s chief recruiters.
Bradley efficiently partnered with Mickelson, going 4-1 in two cups collectively, and he was requested Tuesday about Mickelson’s doable involvement at Bethpage, both in an official or unofficial capability.
“I nonetheless have an awesome relationship with Phil, however I don’t suppose he’s desirous about being a vice captain – and to be sincere with you, he’s a captain sometime, I believe,” Bradley stated. “I haven’t spoken to Phil. I don’t need to communicate for him in any respect. However I believe he’s fairly busy with what he’s doing, and I’ve nothing however nice issues to say about Phil and our recollections collectively, and what we did on the Ryder Cup is admittedly my fondest recollections within the recreation.”
