Losing the 2025 Ryder Cup on home soil could prove to be a blessing in disguise for Team USA should it inspire the PGA of America to overhaul how they approach the event.
It is now more than three decades since Team USA won the Ryder Cup in Europe. Bryson DeChambeau was born the same month Tom Watson led his team to victory at The Belfry.
The trips across the Atlantic in 2014, 2018 and 2023 have ended miserably. So following Keegan Bradley‘s side’s loss in New York, there will be real concerns that Adare Manor could prove to be the site of another humbling loss in two years.
It is imperative that the PGA of America capture the imagination with their next captaincy appointment.
The unpopular choice to captain Team USA at the 2027 Ryder Cup
Many are expecting Tiger Woods to take on the role. Woods turned down the captaincy before Bradley was chosen for Bethpage.
Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson has claimed that his involvement with the Ryder Cup is over. Mickelson most recently served as a vice-captain in 2021.
Bradley’s time in charge proved to be disappointing. Nevertheless, speaking on Straight Facts Homie, Colt Knost suggested that he would like to see the 39-year-old get another opportunity.
“I think it’s Tiger’s if he wants it. It takes a lot of time away from you. Tiger’s a busy guy. I would just like to see this, and it’s probably not going to be very popular, but give Keegan another go. I think he learned so much in this first one,” he said.
“I think this is a thing that [Europe] do. I have heard when they developed their whole team to get ready for the Ryder Cup, they have basically decided a rookie captain will not captain on the road. That is their thing for Europe, because it is just so overwhelming, it’s just different. Luke Donald came in on short notice, did a phenomenal job in Rome. Takes the job, goes over to the United States and dominates at Bethpage once again.
“Keegan made some mistakes. He knows he did. I think he’ll be ready. The team loves him. I think he would be ready. He would be probably paying a lot more attention to what’s going on over these next two years and focused on what he can do to make the team better.
“I just think it’s a big risk. And take Tiger out the equation, other guys people are talking about, Justin Leonard, who has one of the most famous putts in Ryder Cup history. Fred Couples has been a Presidents Cup captain, Justin Leonard hasn’t, but I think it would be very difficult for a rookie captain to go over there with everything that’s been going on with losing eight of the last 11 or whatever it is. It’s just bad. And I think Keegan could adjust and really help the United States team out. I’m terrified to put someone new in there.”
What Keegan Bradley could become the first American captain to do at the Ryder Cup
Bradley would make history if he ended up taking on the job in 2027. He would become the first American captain to face Europe in successive Ryder Cups.
Since 1979, there have been three men who have captained Team USA on more than one occasion.
Jack Nicklaus won in 1983 before losing at Muirfield Village four years later. Meanwhile, Davis Love III was able to avenge some of the painful memories of Medinah in 2012 by winning at Hazeltine in 2016.
But of course, few captaincy decisions have proved to be as baffling as turning to Tom Watson in 2014. Watson is one of the greatest of all time, particularly when it comes to overseas players thriving in the United Kingdom. However, he was unable to replicate the success of 1993 at Gleneagles.
Bradley was one of those who clashed with Watson. So you would imagine that would have influenced how he managed his team in New York.
Having said that, Bradley is playing some of the best golf of his career right now. So there looks to be a very good chance of him being involved at Adare Manor in 2027 – one way or another.
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