The 2025 Ryder Cup is rapidly approaching, with the days declining until Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald meet at Bethpage Black.
European players are in form at this stage of the PGA Tour season, with Rory McIlroy winning the first major championship at The Masters.
Donald has been praised by Ludvig Aberg well ahead of the tournament, with the former having retained his role as the European captain.
He guided the home side to victory in Rome at the 2023 Ryder Cup, with America hosting the team event next in September.
New York’s iconic Bethpage Black is the venue, with Bradley replacing Zach Johnson as America’s captain.
Johnson Wagner wants Patrick Cantlay on America’s 2025 Ryder Cup team
And while Bradley may have already made many of his player selections, both Johnson Wagner and Brendon de Jonge have offered the captain some advice for the team event.
Discussing two players Bradley needs to start playing well, De Jonge said on 5 Clubs: “He needs a couple of stalwarts.
“He needs some guys who have Ryder Cup experience, so for me Patrick Cantlay and Jordan Spieth are two guys that he needs to start playing well. Spieth has been decent but inconsistent.”
Wagner then noted: “I had those two written down but I will throw another one out there in Brooks Koepka. He is a guy who has a lot of experience and is a five-time major champion.
“There is not many guys playing in the Ryder Cup who will have that sort of background in big events. I don’t know if Brooks’ record has been that great.
“I would rather have a guy like Patrick Cantlay on that team, who sort of fires up the opposition and at a home Ryder Cup I think he could sort of be the new Patrick Reed.”
What is the 2025 Ryder Cup selection criteria for America?
It remains to be seen which American players will make the cut, but one certainty is that the fans will very much be on their side.
And that will undoubtedly be playing on the mind of Bradley, who will need players who are able to handle the situation.
They will be under huge pressure to perform on home soil, but they will also need the right temperament to deal with the boisterous and expectant fans.
Bradley will be hard at work with vice captains Jim Furyk, Kevin Kisner, Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker in making his captain’s picks, of which he has six.
All American players have the opportunity to earn points beginning in 2024 and ending at the 2025 BMW Championship.
The top six eligible players from the standings will then make the cut, with the six others set to be announced in August following the 2025 Tour Championship.
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