Keegan Bradley was named the U.S. Ryder Cup captain in a shock announcement final week.
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Test in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most well liked subjects within the sport, and be a part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we focus on Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup captaincy, the largest Open Championship storylines and extra.
In a shocking announcement, Keegan Bradley was named U.S. Ryder Cup captain for the 2025 occasion at Bethpage Black. Bradley, 38, performed in two Ryder Cups (2012, 2014), has by no means been an assistant captain and wasn’t on the 2023 staff that misplaced in Rome. Now that we’re a number of days faraway from the decide, what are your ideas? A great choice? Or might the shortage of expertise show expensive?
James Colgan, information and options editor (@jamescolgan26): My ideas are that the People desperately wanted a giant swing after Rome, and in Bradley, they took one. If I had been an American fan, I’d be glad: I a lot choose when my groups take high-risk, high-upside swings. Perhaps Keegs isn’t probably the most ready man for the job, however with the crowds anticipated at Bethpage, it may not matter.
Sean Zak, senior author (@sean_zak): I feel issues are gonna get bizarre. Sooner or later in 2025, Bradley will contend to win a PGA Tour occasion, validating all of the questions on his potential as a enjoying captain. However I imagine what Rory McIlroy mentioned On Thursday in Scotland: “If you wish to be the most effective captain you could be, you possibly can’t play. And if you wish to be the most effective participant you could be, you possibly can’t captain. It’s one or the opposite.” The occasion is just too massive, the requests too many, the relationships too fraught for Bradley to have an easy-breezy captaincy whereas being a high 20 participant on the earth, too. John Wooden will definitely assist him out. However he could find yourself dealing with a bit greater than we beforehand imagined.
Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): It’s definitely unorthodox, however I can recognize that the People are at the very least making an attempt to suppose outdoors the field. I’d a lot choose to see one thing wacky than watch them proceed utilizing a system that they haven’t had a lot success with. The jury is out on whether or not or not the decide will work out, however at the very least they’re displaying some willingness to zig when everybody expects them to zag.
Rory McIlroy mentioned the decide appeared “fairly reactionary to what occurred in Rome.” Do you agree? If the U.S. would have gained the final Cup, would Bradley have been the decide?
Colgan: Completely sure. It was reactionary, however that’s what most management selections are. If Tiger had been out there, we’d be talking about this captainship with a lot totally different language, however he wasn’t, and Keegan was a good selection from the remainder of the sector.
Zak: It was extra a response to Tiger Woods not being out there. That’s what this complete factor is about, actually. If the U.S. wins in Rome, Zach Johnson in all probability captains the staff once more. He’d be thought-about an American hero.
Melton: Agree with what SZ mentioned above. Tiger was all the time Plan A, and when he turned down the place, the pickings had been slim. It was the right storm for an unorthodox rent.
In his introductory press convention, Bradley mentioned he “didn’t have one dialog with anyone about this till I used to be informed I used to be the captain.” Had been you shocked by that? What can we take away from that remark?
Colgan: Uhh, yeah, it’s best to in all probability interview for an important job in American golf earlier than you’re employed. However there’s not a lot Keegan would say in regards to the Ryder Cup behind closed doorways that he hasn’t already mentioned publicly. I think about that helped the U.S. facet really feel some consolation.
Zak: I used to be shocked by that admission. 1. That it was real. We love a Ryder Cup captain — a task that requires plenty of answering questions — who isn’t afraid to inform the reality. 2. I feel it reveals simply how little connection the youthful era of American golfers (learn: JT, Spieth, et all) have with the era that preceded them (learn: Cink, Kuchar, et al). Thomas mentioned all he needs is a captain the staff could be excited to play for. That he couldn’t see that within the Cink and Kuchar varieties tells you gamers of his era need a bit greater than only a longtime Tour professional with a little bit of success.
Melton: That was very surprising and a bit regarding. You’ll hope he would’ve gone via an interview course of earlier than getting the nod. Let’s hope the shortage of a vetting course of doesn’t come again to chunk the People.
Bradley wasn’t that removed from making the staff final yr, and at nineteenth within the World Rating it wouldn’t be shocking if he certified through factors (he mentioned he wouldn’t use a captain’s decide on himself). Since Bradley remains to be aggressive, although, it’s extra possible than earlier Ryder Cups that the captain might truly play as nicely. However might that scenario hinder the staff? Or would Bradley both not play or just hand over the captaincy to an assistant?
Colgan: I suppose Bradley would serve his nation nicely by both being captain or enjoying within the Cup, not each. How humorous wouldn’t it be if, in spite of everything this hubbub, he made the staff and handed the captainship off to Tiger Woods?
Zak: Would love that consequence, James. Think about Tiger would, too. Like I wrote above, I do envision issues getting bizarre subsequent yr in some unspecified time in the future. Bradley profitable within the spring or early summer season months just isn’t a wild thought, nevertheless it’s precisely the type of factor that will give him a ton of factors and make the team-building scenario a bit awkward.
Melton: A primary-time captain additionally enjoying within the occasion doesn’t look like a recipe for fulfillment, however stranger issues have occurred. I don’t anticipate Keegan to make the staff, although, so this state of affairs ought to stay a hypothetical.
It’s no secret the job was Tiger Woods’ if he wished it, however Woods determined he couldn’t totally decide to the place whereas additionally managing his different obligations. When do you anticipate Woods to take his flip?
Colgan: I feel Adare Manor in ‘27 is a really possible spot for Tiger. Captaining the Ryder Cup on the web site of excellent buddy JP McManus’ magnum opus could be good optics for Woods, and main the U.S. into its try for the primary win on European soil in 4 a long time could be … epic.
Zak: Sure, Eire in ‘27 makes good sense. He was enjoying captain in an essential highway victory within the Presidents Cup. We all know he enjoys the concept of tactical missions. Successful a highway Cup could be among the many finest stamps he might make on a median Ryder Cup profession.
Melton: Agreed it might be epic, however I’d hate to see Tiger’s captaincy finish in one other U.S. loss on European soil. I’d a lot choose him to attend till 2029 so he can lead an American triumph on dwelling turf.
Subsequent up, the ultimate males’s main of the yr, the Open Championship at Royal Troon. It’s the tenth time Troon has hosted an Open, with the latest enjoying again in 2016 when Henrik Stenson outdueled Phil Mickelson. Is Rory McIlroy’s first main coming off his U.S. Open heartbreak the largest storyline of the week? If not, what’s?
Colgan: There’s no larger story within the sport proper now than Rory’s return, however listed below are two others which have piqued my curiosity: Bryson’s push for the most effective main season of his life, and Scottie Scheffler’s try to shut out a historic season together with his first main win away from Augusta. It’s an excellent week to have an excellent week.
Zak: I like the final main of the yr. And never simply because I’m a part-time Scot. However largely as a result of there have been three totally different main winners this yr, which implies every of them will get the possibility to be the double-major winner of 2024. It’s been six years since we had a single participant win two majors within the males’s sport, and we’ve bought an amazing crop of contenders between Scottie, Xander and Bryson.
Melton: My colleagues have carried out an amazing job outlining the principle storylines above, so I’ll go in a special course. I’ll have an interest to see the type of Jon Rahm. His first season on LIV has seen the Spaniard have a disappointing main season to date. However all of that will be forgotten with a win at Royal Troon.
Three gamers have already gained majors this yr: Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau. With no win at Troon, which professional would possibly stroll away from the 2024 main season probably the most upset?
Colgan: Clearly Rory is the clear reply, however how about Collin Morikawa, whose sport has been in all probability second-best on the earth during the last 6 months, and who has solely a handful of top-5s to indicate for it?
Zak: Sure, James nailed the highest two solutions right here. Most individuals suppose Rory is the clear reply for disappointment as a result of he’ll be a transparent 10 years faraway from his final main win, nevertheless it’s not in regards to the 10 years for me anymore. It’s about one other yr of top-3-in-the-world golf with out it punching via within the 4 occasions that matter most. It’ll be one other yr of three spectacular wins (Dubai, Zurich, and Quail Hole) and 0 large wins. Such unbelievable golf however not the sort that he needs most. That’s the tantalizing type of disappointment.
Melton: How about Brooks Koepka? After a PGA win in 2023, he seemed like he was again to being the baddest dude in golf, however this yr he’s but to even register a high 25 within the majors. For somebody who solely cares in regards to the 4 massive ones, being uncompetitive for a whole season has to sting.
