Keegan Bradley is acutely aware of the challenges involved in the Ryder Cup selection process. Having been passed over for the 2023 Ryder Cup team, he now finds himself in the crucial position of selecting six players to join the automatic qualifiers for the US squad, which will compete next month at Bethpage. Bradley has hinted that fans should prepare for some unexpected selections when he makes his official announcement on Wednesday.
“There is probably going to be a few guys that think they are going to be on the team that aren’t going to be,” Bradley revealed in an interview with Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis, following the conclusion of the season-ending Tour Championship on Sunday. This year, Bradley’s task may prove to be more challenging than that of previous captains, as he has the option to choose himself for the team, which adds another layer of complexity to his decisions.
Bradley has expressed his apprehension about the “awful” phone calls he will have to make to players who ultimately do not make the cut. This emotional tension was highlighted in the documentary “Full Swing,” which captured the moment when 2023 captain Zach Johnson left Bradley off the team. The disappointment was palpable, especially as the European team dominated the Americans in Rome.
Presently, Bradley ranks 11th in the Ryder Cup standings, which is impressive considering his recent performance, including a victory at the Traveler’s Championship and a tie for seventh at the Tour Championship. The automatic qualifiers for the US Ryder Cup team include notable players such as Scottie Scheffler, JJ Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau. Following these qualifiers, the standings continue with Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Maverick McNealy, and others, including Bradley himself.
“It’s going to be pretty wild,” Bradley mentioned after his round at East Lake, where he briefly contended for the lead before finishing behind. The three players under consideration for the final spots include Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, and Patrick Cantlay, who are generally regarded as frontrunners. However, the competition becomes more intense beyond them, as Griffin and Burns have both demonstrated strong performances over the summer, enhancing their chances for selection.
The race for the final spot is heating up, particularly among Cameron Young, Keegan Bradley, and Maverick McNealy. Bradley’s earlier comments suggest that speculation regarding guaranteed spots for players outside the top six may have been premature. Young has made a compelling case for his inclusion, especially after securing his first career win at the Wyndham Championship earlier this month. He has also followed this achievement with top-five finishes in two of his last three events.
“I think recent form is kind of a hard one to deny,” Young stated recently, emphasizing his strong record at major championship venues. “Aside from that, it’s obviously my home state, and I love this golf course.” As the anticipation builds for the Ryder Cup, which tees off on September 26 at Bethpage’s renowned Black course, all eyes will be on Bradley and his final selections.
