In a move hailed as selfless leadership, U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley announced on Wednesday that he would not select himself as a player for the 2025 Ryder Cup, despite his strong world ranking and personal desire to compete.
Instead, Bradley focused on assembling what he believes is the strongest possible team to reclaim the cup from Europe at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, from September 26-28.
Bradley, who was named captain in July 2024, had been the subject of months of speculation about whether he would become the first playing captain for the U.S. since Arnold Palmer in 1963. Ranked No. 11 in the world and fresh off a solid 2025 campaign, including a strong showing in the FedExCup finale, Bradley admitted the decision was difficult, but it had been made weeks ago.
“I grew up wanting to play Ryder Cups. I wanted to fight alongside these guys. It broke my heart not to play, it really did,” Bradley said during the announcement. “But I was chosen to be the captain of this team. And my ultimate goal is to be the best captain I can be. This is how I think I can do that.”
Bradley & The Boys Are Ready for Bethpage Black 🏆🇺🇸#GoUSA pic.twitter.com/CxSmzjDdUm
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) August 27, 2025
The 39-year-old Vermont native explained that his picks were driven by the players’ recent form and their ability to perform under pressure.
“These six players stepped up and played their way onto this team. I’m really proud of them,” he added. Bradley noted that the strong play of his selections made the choice easier, allowing him to prioritize captaining without the distractions of also competing.
Analysts have praised the decision, noting that a playing captain role could invite unnecessary scrutiny and drama, potentially hindering team focus.
Bradley’s six captain’s picks were announced in the following order:
- Justin Thomas
- Collin Morikawa
- Ben Griffin
- Cameron Young
- Patrick Cantlay
- Sam Burns
These players join the six automatic qualifiers based on points: Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau.
Players expressed strong support for Bradley’s leadership. Thomas praised Bradley’s transparency: “Keegan has been so honest and transparent. That’s not something we have experienced before… We’re all gutted for him. But him leading us to victory will be cooler than any experience he could have as a player.”
Burns echoed the sentiment, calling it an honor to be selected and highlighting the team’s potential boost from home crowd support at Bethpage Black, while Cantlay emphasized the personal significance of team events. Young, a New York native, expressed excitement about playing in his home state.
Bradley’s choice underscores a commitment to team success over personal ambition, especially after the U.S. team’s disappointing loss in Rome in 2023. As captain, he now shifts focus to strategy and motivation, aiming to end Europe’s recent dominance on American soil.
“I don’t care how things work out as long as we win on Sunday,” Bradley said. “I am incredibly honored to be the captain and now I get to focus on this and cheer these guys on.”
The U.S. team will face off against Europe’s squad, captained by Luke Donald, in what promises to be a fiercely contested battle.
