Keegan Bradley’s Decision on Ryder Cup Participation
Keegan Bradley has decided against playing in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage this September, prioritizing his role as captain over participating as a player. This confirmation means there will not be a playing captain in the Ryder Cup since Arnold Palmer held that title in 1963.
Team Selection Announcement
Bradley announced his supporting team, which includes Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Patrick Cantlay, Cameron Young, and Sam Burns, alongside the six automatic qualifiers. This eagerly awaited selection took place on Wednesday.
Bradley’s Rankings and Decision
Despite ranking No. 11 in the world and eighth among American players, Bradley decided it would be unreasonable to juggle both roles effectively. He stated, “If I felt I needed to play in this team to help the team win, I would have.” He had already made the decision not to play before the last 48 hours of team selection.
Emotional Impact of the Decision
Bradley expressed the difficulty of stepping back from playing, sharing, “It broke my heart not to play… But ultimately I was chosen to be the captain of this team.” His main goal is to be the best captain possible and ensure he can focus entirely on that role.
Support and Guidance
To prepare for his captaincy, Bradley turned to assistant Jim Furyk for detailed insights into the role. Despite winning the Travelers Championship in June, he resolved to leave his clubs at home, dismissing external opinions, including those from European players, on the feasibility of being both a captain and a player.
Reactions to His Choice
Although Donald Trump suggested that Bradley should play, he felt honored by such remarks, considering them surreal. Bradley clarified his focus on what’s best for his team rather than external pressures.
Looking Ahead to Competition
Bradley acknowledged that Maverick McNealy may feel disappointed at not being selected and encouraged him to channel that anger into future successes. Meanwhile, high-profile absentees like Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka were excluded due to lackluster performance. As Europe prepares to announce its wildcards, the competition is heating up ahead of the event.
