While there will be plenty of intrigue surrounding all of the picks Keegan Bradley makes to complete his Ryder Cup team on Wednesday, there is surely no doubt that the most interesting talking point is whether the captain will decide to tee it up himself in New York.
The possibility of Keegan Bradley being a playing captain at the Ryder Cup has been on the table since his appointment was announced last year. Bradley is arguably playing the best golf of his career right now.
It was hard to see how Bradley would not play after winning the Travelers Championship in June. The reception the 39-year-old received after holing the winning putt at TPC River Highlands was remarkable.
Perhaps wisely, the American team have made provisions in case Bradley does play.
How Team Europe feel about Keegan Bradley playing at the Ryder Cup
Previously, only captains were allowed to speak to players during the matches at the Ryder Cup. That could obviously be beneficial when it comes to passing on information about a certain hole, or getting an idea about how a player is feeling about potentially playing again.
But that could have been a problem for Team USA during the sessions Bradley was playing in. So Europe have agreed to allow a vice-captain to take on the responsibility of speaking to the players while Bradley is in the thick of the action.
It is a smart move from the Europeans. The last thing they need to do is to give the home team ammunition to claim that they have been petty.
But it also appears that Luke Donald and his team were more than happy to agree to the rule change. According to The Telegraph, Europe believe that Bradley being a playing captain could backfire on the Americans. And thus, they were more than willing to agree to a change which may increase the likelihood of the 2011 PGA Championship winner picking himself.
The decision Keegan Bradley is expected to make on his own role at the Ryder Cup
Bradley has played well enough to receive a pick. However, it is unclear whether he will be able to perform both roles at Bethpage.
But it appears that the world will get the opportunity to find out.
The Telegraph reports that many believe that it would be a huge shock if Bradley did not pick himself.
Bradley is now in the position where it is going to be a brave call whatever he decides. Ultimately, that decision will be reflected upon as the wrong one if USA lose.
It is difficult to imagine a captain being under greater pressure than Bradley is heading into Bethpage.
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