While the players on Team USA deserve all the credit in the world for fighting back and threatening to pull off the greatest sporting comeback of all-time at Bethpage, it seems fair to say that Keegan Bradley’s captaincy is unlikely to be remembered fondly by many.
Team USA went into Sunday at the Ryder Cup seven points behind. Europe needed just two points from 11 matches to ensure that they would be taking the trophy back across the Atlantic with them.
Much of the talk surrounded Luke Donald‘s men setting new records. Ultimately, they were just relieved to get across the line. Ludvig Aberg won their only full point of the day, while four matches were halved.
The scoreline arguably does not do justice to the dominance Europe had over the first two days. With that, it is hard to see how Keegan Bradley continues in his role as captain for Adare Manor in 2027.
Brandel Chamblee names who should be the next American Ryder Cup captain
Bradley admitted setting up Bethpage incorrectly. Meanwhile, it was baffling to see Bradley put Harris English and Collin Morikawa out together in two sessions.
But it remains to be seen where the PGA of America go from here. Phil Mickelson has ruled himself out, while Tiger Woods may be the obvious candidate in the eyes of many. Woods reportedly rejected the role before Bradley’s shock appointment.
But speaking on McGinley & Chamblee, Brandel Chamblee insisted that there are two other names who would be at the top of his list.
“Quite simply it does not mean as much to the United States players than it does to Europe,” he said.
“Their Team Cup is an event which is used to prepare for the Ryder Cup, to test captains, vice captains, players, pairings and begin a message to get the players ready to play in the Ryder Cup.
“I don’t know if the Presidents Cup is anything close to that. If it were, how has Fred Couples never been named the Ryder Cup captain, for crying out loud? Tell me how.
“How has Justin Leonard never been named the Ryder Cup captain? Tell me the most important putt in the history of the Ryder Cup from the USA and tell me it’s not his putt.
“Justin Leonard to me in terms of emotional intelligence, humbleness, thoughtfulness, attention to detail. To me he is a budding Luke Donald or Paul McGinley and has an extraordinary record.
“I said how in the heck are you not the Ryder Cup captain. Look at the players we have picked and, no disrespect but Keegan Bradley is full of passion and everyone can rally round him. I get that. But he has played in just two Ryder Cups in his career.
“If you look at the last 10 Ryder Cup captains for the US and they have played an average of five. A lot more experience.
“I look at Justin and again Fred Couples not being the Ryder Cup captain blows my mind. Justin Leonard should be the Ryder Cup captain next go around if it’s not Fred Couples.”
What Fred Couples admitted about the Ryder Cup captaincy in 2021
It is particularly bizarre that Fred Couples has never been Ryder Cup captain. He has been the vice-captain on three occasions, including in 2023 in Rome.
He has also captained the Presidents Cup team three times, winning all three events.
Couples played in five Ryder Cups during his career, winning three of those matches. His most recent appearance came at Valderrama in 1997.
In 2021, he admitted that he thought that his chance to lead the team had now gone.
“Now I’m a little old for the system,” he said, as reported by the Florida Times-Union. “I mean, would I like to be Ryder Cup captain? Of course, but that’s probably not going to happen.”
Couples would break Tom Watson‘s record for the oldest Ryder Cup captain should he take the role for 2027. He turns 66 next week.
Leonard meanwhile, is 53 so his name should certainly be considered. Whatever happens next, the PGA of America must look to start to create some sort of vision and blueprint for how they want to become a force in the Ryder Cup – at long last.
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