Keegan Bradley, the winner of the 2011 PGA Championship, has recently announced his surprising appointment as the Ryder Cup captain for Team USA in 2025. This unexpected development arose after Tiger Woods declined the role of captain due to his commitments with the PGA Tour.
During a press conference, Bradley revealed that he had not been formally interviewed for the position, and that the offer came “out of the blue” following Woods’ withdrawal from consideration. The 38-year-old golfer, who narrowly missed out on a captain’s pick for the 2023 Ryder Cup, expressed his astonishment and gratitude for the opportunity.
“I had no prior knowledge of this development,” Bradley admitted. “Zach Johnson, whom I deeply respect, personally informed me that I would be leading Team USA in 2025. It was truly unexpected.”
Woods, an eight-time Ryder Cup player, cited his new duties with the PGA Tour as the reason for turning down the captaincy. However, he expressed his willingness to consider a future captaincy role and conveyed his support for Bradley.
Bradley also mentioned that he had spoken with Woods before accepting the captaincy and that the former world No. 1 had been supportive and offered valuable guidance. He expressed his willingness to have Woods as part of his backroom team and acknowledged the significance of Woods’ influence on the players.
While Bradley’s appointment came as a surprise to many in the golfing community, some expressed confidence in his ability to bring vibrancy and energy to the captaincy. Paul McGinley, a former Ryder Cup-winning captain, acknowledged Bradley’s passion and popularity, despite his relative youth and lack of experience in a leadership role.
The announcement has generated anticipation and interest in the upcoming 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, where Team USA aims to reclaim the trophy after their defeat in Rome last September.
Sky Sports will exclusively broadcast all three days of the 2025 Ryder Cup live from September 26-28 next year, and fans are eagerly anticipating witnessing Bradley’s leadership in this prestigious event.
As the golfing world prepares for this highly-anticipated competition, Bradley’s unexpected journey to the captaincy has undoubtedly added an intriguing element to the upcoming Ryder Cup.