Keegan Bradley has officially announced that he will not be participating in the upcoming Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, putting an end to months of speculation regarding his playing status. On Wednesday, he revealed that he was not selected as one of the six captain's picks for the prestigious event, further shaping the dynamics of the U.S. team.
In his announcement, Bradley selected Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, and Ben Griffin—ranked Nos. 7-9 in the final points standings—as well as Patrick Cantlay, Sam Burns, and Cameron Young to complete the 12-man squad. “The decision was made a while ago that I wasn’t playing,” Bradley stated during a press conference held at the PGA’s headquarters in Frisco, Texas. He acknowledged the impressive performances of his teammates, saying, “all of these guys stepped up in a major way and played their way onto this team.”
The six captain's picks will join a strong U.S. roster that includes automatic qualifiers such as Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau, Russell Henley, and Harris English, who earned their spots through a two-year points cycle. This strategic mix aims to bolster the team's chances against a formidable European squad led by captain Luke Donald, who will announce his captain's picks soon.
Bradley's decision not to include himself in the playing roster comes as a surprise given his recent elevation to captaincy in July 2024, following his snubbing from the 2023 Ryder Cup squad. Initially, he stated he would only partake in the Ryder Cup if he qualified automatically, but after winning the Travelers Championship, he began to reconsider his options. Despite a strong start, Bradley struggled to maintain his form during the final qualifying months.
Reflecting on his decision, Bradley expressed mixed emotions: “It broke my heart not to play. You work forever to make these teams. But I was chosen to be the captain of this team, and my goal was to be the best captain I could be.” He acknowledged the challenge of evaluating his own performance while considering the needs of the team.
As he informed the players left off the team, Bradley admitted he felt “bummed out.” However, he quickly shifted his mindset, recognizing the honor and responsibility that comes with being a Ryder Cup captain. “I don’t care how it works out, as long as we win on Sunday (of Ryder Cup week),” he affirmed.
Among his selected players, Thomas and Morikawa stand out. Thomas is making his fourth Ryder Cup appearance and is considered the "heartbeat of our team," according to Bradley. Morikawa, despite a recent lack of form, boasts a winning record in Ryder Cups, making him a valuable asset in the foursomes format.
Griffin, a breakout star this season, has made significant strides in his game, while Cantlay brings a solid record in team match play to the table. Burns, recognized as the top-ranked putter on the Tour, and rookie Young, who has shown strong course history at Bethpage, round out a diverse and talented roster.
With the U.S. team having won only three of the last 11 Ryder Cups, their recent home victories in 2016 and 2021 have instilled a sense of optimism. As Bradley summarized the stress of the past few months, he expressed relief: “I’m glad it’s over.” Many members of the U.S. roster are expected to compete next week at the PGA Tour’s Procore Championship, focusing on team bonding and sharpening their skills ahead of the matches at Bethpage.
