Why Keegan Bradley Deserves Another Ryder Cup Captaincy

Team USA has just lost in front of their fans to Team Europe at the 2025 Ryder Cup, and the dust is yet to fully settle. However, there have been debates about whether Keegan Bradley should continue as captain as the US looks forward to the next Ryder Cup in 2027.

Bradley’s Leadership Qualities Unquestionable

Bradley’s biggest criticism came from the way he set up Bethpage Black. The 39-year-old shortened the rough and widened the fairways, removing the course’s traditional difficulty. His decision played into the strengths of the European team, who are widely known for their precision and ball-striking. Bradley himself admitted he made mistakes in the course setup and took full responsibility. Not many leaders in sports would take the blame so directly, and that honesty is a reason why he may actually be the right man to lead the team again.

The captain made mistakes with his pairings too. He ran the same partnerships more than once, even when they were not working. His decision to pair Collin Morikawa with Harris English twice drew criticism, with some analysts pointing out that the combination didn’t work. These errors cannot be ignored, but they are also the kind of lessons that a first-time captain can learn from and correct in the future.

Bradley also showed a lot of passion in the build-up to the event and during the competition itself. He was always present on the course, urging his players on and celebrating their good moments. Even when it looked like Team Europe was running away with it, the 39-year-old was visible and engaged, not withdrawn or defeated.

Bradley Retains Full Support Of The Team US

Bradley was also able to build unity in the American locker room. Past Ryder Cups have often exposed divisions among US players, but this time it was different. The team spoke highly of their captain and rallied around him despite the defeat. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler publicly praised Bradley for his leadership, saying the players had full confidence in him throughout the week.

Continuity may be the best thing for the US as they begin to plan for the next Ryder Cup in 2027. Europe has usually thrived by trusting captains and vice-captains for multiple terms, while the US usually changes leadership after every loss. But Bradley deserves another Ryder Cup captaincy to use the lessons from Bethpage Black and show what he can do with experience on his side.

What do you think? Should Keegan Bradley get another chance as Ryder Cup captain, or should Team USA look for new leadership?