U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley revealed the biggest concern he had about picking himself as Ryder Cup captain
Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley made his captain’s picks for Bethpage Black. The biggest story for months was whether Bradley would select himself as playing captain, and he ultimately decided against it.
Bradley said he was talking about picking himself for a year leading up to the event. He was undoubtedly one of the best 12 American golfers, and it would have been a no-brainer to select him for any other captain.
He revealed what his biggest concern was about selecting himself after making his selections.
Keegan Bradley admits he didn’t know if he could manage being a playing captain at the Ryder Cup
Many, including Rory McIlroy, expressed doubts about Bradley’s ability to be a playing captain. Rory McIlroy said, “I don’t think you can do it.”
It seems that Bradley ultimately shared McIlroy’s doubts. He revealed his “biggest concern” about being a playing captain to Sky Sports Golf.
He said, “I had a lot of support to play the whole time. I really had to lean on Jim Furyk as the only guy that’s gone through being a captain, and other captains that I would ask.
| U.S. RYDER CUP TEAM | |
| Scottie Scheffler | Automatic qualifier |
| Bryson DeChambeau | Automatic qualifier |
| J.J. Spaun | Automatic qualifier |
| Xander Schauffele | Automatic qualifier |
| Russell Henley | Automatic qualifier |
| Harris English | Automatic qualifier |
| Justin Thomas | Captain’s pick |
| Collin Morikawa | Captain’s pick |
| Patrick Cantlay | Captain’s pick |
| Ben Griffin | Captain’s pick |
| Cameron Young | Captain’s pick |
| Sam Burns | Captain’s pick |
“My biggest concern was being the best captain I could be, and as a player, being the best captain I could be. I was worried I couldn’t do both.”
Bradley had a 2025 that surpassed all expectations. He beat Tommy Fleetwood to the Travelers Championship in his biggest result of the season, and was in contention late at the Tour Championship.
After suffering Ryder Cup heartbreak two years ago, missing out on the team in 2023, Bradley wanted more than anything to play this year. He said he was heartbroken and admitted this was his last best chance to play in the Ryder Cup.
But Rich Beem said that he thought the weight had been lifted from Bradley’s shoulders after he made his picks.
Rich Beem said Keegan Bradley looked ‘relieved’ to not be playing in the Ryder Cup
Bradley’s decision has been the topic of scrutiny for the entirety of 2025. He’s been asked questions about it ever since he brought himself into contention. Former golf pro and analyst Beem said earlier in the year he was concerned about the pressure on Bradley’s shoulders with the decision.
His captain’s picks were announced in dramatic fashion. Bradley went through his picks one by one, and before he announced his final selection, fans waited with bated breath. Would it be Bradley?
The name that came out of his mouth: Sam Burns. Beem said he saw relief on the face of Bradley once he made his final pick. He said he thought Bradley was happy to put the conversations behind him.
Beem said on the Sky Sports Podcast, “I think he looked more relieved that the process was over.
He continued, “When he mentioned Sam Burns, I literally felt relief. And to me, it looked like he was relieved. It looked like he was ready to be done with it.”
Now we know the U.S. team, we can turn our attention to the golf, as the Americans look to defend their home soil against Europe in New York.