Phil Mickelson Praises Keegan Bradley After Ryder Cup Team Selection
Keegan Bradley has been appointed as the captain of the 2025 United States Ryder Cup team, a move that has raised eyebrows in the golfing world. This is Bradley's first time taking on the role, and before this appointment, he was not among the top players on the PGA Tour.
The decision to appoint Bradley as captain could be seen as either genius or moronic, depending on the outcome of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in 2025. The biennial event, which will take place at this renowned course, is Bradley's likely final shot at making the team as a player.
Bradley's captain's picks for the team were made "a while ago." His first three picks were Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, and Ben Griffin, who finished directly down the final points standings. His next three picks were Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay, and Sam Burns, who finished 14th, 15th, and 16th, respectively, in the standings. Interestingly, Bradley chose not to pick himself as a playing captain, opting instead to serve solely as team captain.
Bradley's appointment was considered a head scratcher, especially given his 11th place finish on the team points list and the speculation that he might have considered being a playing captain, a role last held by Arnold Palmer in 1963. Bradley, however, was essentially the 'first player out' for the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy.
Following his captain's picks and press conference, Bradley received a vote of confidence from Phil Mickelson. Mickelson shared compliments for Bradley, praising his decision to pass on the opportunity to be a playing captain.
The outcome of the 2025 Ryder Cup will determine whether Bradley's appointment as captain was a success or a failure. With a strong team and a proven track record of winning on the PGA Tour this year, there is hope that Bradley will lead the U.S. team to victory. However, the memory of the lopsided loss at the 2023 Ryder Cup still looms large, adding an extra layer of pressure to Bradley's shoulders.
As the countdown to the 2025 Ryder Cup begins, all eyes will be on Keegan Bradley and his team as they aim to reclaim the Ryder Cup for the United States.
