Two years in the past, Keegan Bradley was devastated when then-U.S. Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson left him off the 2023 workforce in favor of Justin Thomas as a captain’s decide.
In 2024, Bradley, now 39, was chosen by the PGA of America to steer the U.S. workforce for the 2025 matches at Bethpage Black in New York — the youngest American captain since Arnold Palmer was a taking part in captain in 1963.
However will Bradley be a taking part in captain like Palmer? That is a choice solely he could make.
After winning the Travelers Championship on Sunday, Bradley has moved to No. 9 within the Ryder Cup standings and a career-best No. 7 within the Official World Golf Rating. His two PGA Tour wins up to now yr are greater than any American besides Scottie Scheffler.
“This modifications the story a bit bit,” Bradley mentioned Sunday about his Ryder Cup position. “I by no means would have thought of taking part in if I hadn’t gained. This undoubtedly opens the door to play. I do not know if I will do it or not, however I actually should take a fairly onerous take a look at what’s greatest for the workforce.”
The highest six gamers within the factors standings after the BMW Championship on Aug. 17 will routinely make the workforce; Bradley may even make six captain’s decisions. Scheffler, the world No. 1, is adopted by two-time main winner Xander Schauffele and U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun are the clear high three at this level, with Russell Hensley, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Thomas rounding out the present high six.
Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Bradley, Harris English, Maverick McNealy and Brian Harman are the following six within the factors race by way of Sunday.
Bradley, who’s from New England and performed school golf at St. John’s, final performed within the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in Scotland in 2014. He made his Ryder Cup debut at Medinah in 2012.
The considered truly taking part in at Bethpage Black in September hadn’t actually crossed his thoughts earlier this season, however as his sport has surged, he mentioned it isn’t out of the realm of chance.
“I by no means actually deliberate on taking part in. I actually wished to only be the captain,” Bradley mentioned previous to the Vacationers final week. “I actually felt strongly about that. I need to serve the blokes. They requested me to do a job. I need to do it to the perfect of my talents.
“Now, with the superb vice captains that I’ve, and I’ve a greater perspective of taking part in within the Presidents Cup and being round numerous the blokes, I really feel much more comfy if I went that route.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.