USA's Keegan Bradley unlikely to be Ryder Cup playing captain in 2025

Keegan Bradley (38) is unlikely to serve as a playing captain for the United States in next year's Ryder Cup, despite his pivotal role in securing a 10th consecutive victory for the Americans at the Presidents Cup.

On Sunday at Royal Montreal, Bradley achieved a 1-up win against South Korean Kim Si-woo, contributing to the Americans' overall triumph of 18.5-11.5 over the Internationals.

"This ranks among the greatest moments of my career," remarked Bradley, who made a remarkable debut by winning the 2011 PGA Championship.

Selected by US captain Jim Furyk, Bradley was appointed as the US Ryder Cup captain for 2025 last July, although he has not participated in a US team since losing the decisive match at the 2014 Ryder Cup.

"I expressed my deep gratitude for being chosen. I genuinely believed my chances of being on such teams were over. Even at my best, I was uncertain if I would ever compete again. Therefore, to achieve this is a highlight of my life."

The Americans have now extended their dominance over the non-European teams to a record of 13-1-1, with the Internationals' sole victory occurring in 1998.

In the previous Ryder Cup, Europe triumphed over the US team with a score of 16.5-11.5 in Rome, marking their fifth win in the last seven events—a reality that Bradley acknowledges adds significant pressure to next year's contest at Bethpage Black.

"The players understand the significance of this Ryder Cup coming up in a year. It could be one of the most crucial Ryder Cups for the United States," Bradley stated.

"We will approach it prepared to compete, aiming for victory in the Ryder Cup, and I intend to apply many lessons learned from Jim to next year's team."

However, he does not foresee himself on the team unless he performs exceptionally well, despite his recent success at the PGA playoff BMW Championship.

"I would be thrilled to join these players next year. However, I am uncertain how that could materialize," Bradley commented. "I will defer that consideration for now.

"If I qualify for the team based on points, I will contemplate participation, but beyond that, I will refrain from doing so, as this is of utmost importance to me next year."

I prioritize the success of the Ryder Cup over any personal achievements I might gain from participating in the tournament. My primary focus is on securing victory, and I believe the optimal approach is to allow the players to perform freely and showcase their skills.

"However, we will see how things unfold. I am skeptical about it happening, but we will see."

'I have gained valuable insights'
Bradley has been diligently observing throughout the week.

"We intend to adopt many of the strategies employed by Jim Furyk during this week," Bradley stated. "He established a strong culture for us, and we plan to carry that forward to Bethpage, hoping that many of these twelve players will be part of that team."

This is particularly relevant considering the US roster included twelve of the top twenty-five ranked players globally, featuring world number one Scottie Scheffler, who achieved eight victories this year, including the Olympics and Masters, as well as second-ranked Xander Schauffele, who triumphed in both the PGA Championship and British Open this year.

"Although we each possess distinct personalities, we harmonize exceptionally well," remarked two-time major champion Collin Morikawa. "We understand our priorities and do not need to communicate them explicitly."

Bradley highlighted the various insights he gained from Furyk.

"What Jim accomplished in the team room, during team meetings, with the pairings, and from Sunday to Wednesday—having us compete against one another—there is no tougher match than one within our own team," Bradley noted. "I have learned a great deal."