Keegan Bradley did not pick himself for US Ryder Cup team

The aforementioned players will join Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English and Bryson DeChambeau, who automatically made the U.S. team by finishing in the top six of the official U.S. Team Rankings.

Bradley could have easily justified picking himself based on the way he played this season. He finished 11th in the U.S. Team Rankings, which are compiled based on a points system that factors in earnings at majors and PGA Tour events. Bradley also finished tied for 7th at the Tour Championship last week, which wasn’t factored into the rankings.

Young, Cantlay and Burns all finished below Bradley in the U.S. Team Rankings.

Bradley suggested earlier this year that he would only play on the U.S. Ryder Cup team if he were to qualify automatically by playing well. He changed his stance a bit after he won the Travelers Championship in June and said he would pick himself “if I feel like I’m going to help the team.”

Had Bradley chosen himself, he would have been the first captain to play for the U.S. team since Arnold Palmer in 1963. Bradley played in the Ryder Cup in 2012 and 2014 and has an overall record of 4-3.

Team USA is looking to bounce back from their 16.5-11.5 loss to Team Europe at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy. Ultimately, Bradley decided that it is best for the team to have someone other than him playing. The 39-year-old has still shown glimpses of the intensity he plans to bring to Bethpage.