Keegan Bradley has a real shot at playing for the US Ryder Cup team – and not just as captain.
After being appointed captain last year, Bradley has put together a strong 2025 season on the PGA Tour, climbing into serious contention for a playing spot. Others have even suggested he should pick himself, given his form and leadership.
Golf fans started drawing connections between the 39-year-old golfer’s form and his intentions after his recent vice-captain selection. In February, he named Gary Woodland to the role, and the move fuelled speculation he was making room for himself to step into the line-up.
Jamie Weir joined the Rex and Lav podcast to shed light on what he’s learned from speaking with Bradley ahead of the Ryder Cup.
The Sky Sports journalist told hosts Rex Hoggard and Ryan Lavner that he wouldn’t trust Bradley to take on a playing captain role.
“I do not believe he can in this day and age, no. I am sure he would tell you differently.
“I found it startling that after the Travelers, he came out to that press conference and revealed the fact that Seth Waugh called him up and said: ‘we want you to do both’. That was the first time I had ever heard him admit that.
“That was the first time I had heard him admit that and I was like really, why? I just don’t think in this day and age it is possible to do both.
“I think there are so many demands as a captain and so many things you need to A) have in place beforehand, which you can still do I suppose. But B) you need to be thinking of the hoof.
“If plan A is not working you need to have a plan B, C and D ready to go and the captain needs to make calls and the captain might be out on the golf course playing Rory McIlroy at the time.
“I think it is very difficult in this day and age. In fact, I think it’s impossible. But he is clearly one of the 12 best American golfers, that is unquestionable.
“Whether he still will be come September, who knows. I think he is in a situation now where his duty as a captain is to assemble the best 12 players, so he is letting his team down if he does not pick himself.
“It’s a very confusing situation. I don’t really know how they have got into this situation but the one man who will be smiling from ear to ear is the man who has been in his role for three years straight and has all his ducks in a row and has his backroom team assembled, and is probably going to have a very similar looking team to what he did in Rome, and that’s Luke Donald.
“So perhaps it’s just what the US need, conversely. Perhaps having this left field choice and having this captain who is such a talismanic figure who pumps his chest and wears that red, white and blue and who it means so much to is exactly what they need on the course.
“It’s fascinating to see how this whole thing plays out, but I was quite astounded when he admitted in that press conference after the Travelers that this was actually the plan all along. This is what Seth and the PGA of America wanted. I found that extraordinary.“
Bradley has been one of the most consistent performers of the 2025 PGA Tour season. His numbers have been strong throughout, including a five-shot victory at the Travelers Championship.
Results | Bradley’s finishes |
Events played | 16 |
Wins | 1 |
Top-5s | 2 |
Top-10s | 5 |
Top-25s | 9 |
Cuts made | 15 |
With less than three months to go before the Ryder Cup, there aren’t many players in better form than Bradley.
So, if he does end up fulfilling both roles – as captain and player – all eyes will be on how the Americans handle it, and whether it gives Europe an edge as they head into Bethpage Black.
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