The prospect of Keegan Bradley playing on his own Ryder Cup team moved a step closer this past week as the American won the Travelers Championship for the second time in his career.
It was Keegan Bradley who delivered a grandstand finish to delight the crowds at TPC River Highlands. The 39-year-old made a birdie on the final hole to beat Tommy Fleetwood and Russell Henley by one shot in Connecticut.
The win moves Bradley up to seventh in the world rankings, while he sits ninth in the qualification standings for the Ryder Cup.
Based on the fact that it was the final signature event of the season, it is now difficult to imagine Bradley not being on the Ryder Cup team at Bethpage in September. It would surely take a significant loss of form for the 2011 PGA Championship winner to miss out.
Of course, that presents a number of potential issues. Bradley is the captain of the team, and would become the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1962. And there is no question that the Ryder Cup has become a different animal in the last few decades.
The statistic from Keegan Bradley’s wins which hints he could be a key man at the Ryder Cup
Team manager John Wood believes that Bradley should probably play no more than three matches if he makes the team. And that would make a lot of sense considering that he would then presumably have half of each day to concentrate on his captaincy role.
But every Ryder Cup tends to see a surprise player emerge as a key man. And there is arguably reason to think that Bradley could end up being that player in a couple of months.
Perhaps it is recency bias, but the 2025 Ryder Cup seems to have had a build up like no other. There are so many fascinating storylines all leading to New York. The pressure therefore is going to be so intense, even by Ryder Cup standards.
Bradley will want to rely on players who step up in the big moments. And with that, it cannot be overlooked that seven of his eight PGA Tour wins have now come in a playoff or by a margin of just one shot.
The approach he hit into 18 at the Travelers Championship was exceptional. And few will forget the five iron he hit into the penultimate hole on his way to winning the BMW Championship last year.
That ability to make the shot when the game really is on the line is invaluable.
Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup record
It is hard to know how much stock to put in Bradley’s Ryder Cup career given that it is more than a decade since his most recent appearance.
But the numbers are undoubtedly impressive, particularly when you look at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah.
Bradley won three points from three alongside Phil Mickelson. And in hindsight, the decision to rest the pair for Saturday afternoon in Chicago proved to be a pivotal one as Europe’s fightback started to get going.
He would lose to Rory McIlroy in the singles, while he only claimed one point from three matches two years later.
But Bradley is arguably playing some of the best golf of his career right now. You would almost not be surprised to see him qualify for the team automatically in the weeks to come.
If he can handle the demands of performing two roles at Bethpage, it would be no surprise to see Bradley shine on his return to the Ryder Cup arena.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
