Keegan Bradley named USA Ryder cup captain
Keegan Bradley named USA Ryder cup captain after being left off the team in 2023
BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 18: Keegan Bradley of the United States plays his shot from the fifth tee during the third round of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club on June 18, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Andrew Redington/Getty ImagesOn Monday Bradley was named the 2025 team USA Ryder cup captain after being left off the team somewhat controversially in 2023, when he was 11th in the standings and had won twice on tour that season. Many criticized the USA team before the Ryder cup even started for being more of a boys club than picking the best golfers possible for team USA. Now with Bradley being the captain American golf fans would have to think he'll take a much different approach than Zach Johnson did. Who's choices were widely criticized leading into the Ryder cup in Rome for picking golfers he was friendly with over players who truly deserved to be there.
"I am incredibly honored to accept this opportunity to captain the United States team at the 2025 Ryder Cup," Bradley said in a statement. "... My passion and appreciation for golf's greatest team event have never been stronger. The Ryder Cup is unlike any other competition in our sport, and this edition will undoubtedly be particularly special given the rich history and enthusiastic spectators at this iconic course."
ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 27: Shane Lowry of Team Europe acknowledges the fans on the 16th tee during a practice round prior to the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 27, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Team USA will be looking to bounce back after losing 16.5-11.5 in Rome and not looking competitive at all for the vast majority of the tournament. What better way to make sure Team USA doesn't have the same issues they did in Rome, change the leadership group at the top and that's exactly what the USA side has done naming Bradley the captain. Keegan is the youngest captain for the USA in 50 years and will hopefully bring his own Ryder cup playing mentality to his role as captain.
Keegan has the perspective of being a player on the Ryder cup team and the perspective of being one of the last players left off the team so his decision making heading into next years tournament will be an interesting process to watch. The last time team USA lost on home soil was 2012, Davis Love III was the captain then and golf fans will remember it as the miracle at Medinah for the European squad. Europe stormed back during the Sunday singles matchups to defeat the USA on home soil dancing on the greens in Illinois.
Bradley and Team USA will have a tall task on their hands with the strength of the European roster and the question marks in the back half of the USA roster. However I am a fan of Bradley being named the captain because it is a somewhat out of the box decision and not what many fans expected. Tiger Woods was asked but declined according to reports and while it's always good to have Tiger involved, getting a fresh and maybe even somewhat bitter perspective in Bradley's is much needed for a USA side that is looking to defend it's home soil.
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