Keegan Bradley was very much a surprise choice when he was confirmed as the Team USA captain for the Ryder Cup in 2025.
Bradley saw the ultimate redemption arc come true when he went from missing the cut with Zach Johnson in 2023 to being picked as captain for the 2025 effort in New York.
Of course, Bradley is very much still an active player on the PGA Tour and he enjoyed a fine finish to the season as he won the BWM Championship and finished 21st at the FedEx.
That was enough to earn Bradley a pick by Jim Furyk and while he was initially on standby to be an assistant captain, Bradley will now play instead.
And speaking about the inclusion of Bradley, assistant captain Justin Leonard has admitted he now sees far more upside to Bradley playing than he initially did.
Justin Leonard excited by Keegan Bradley playing in the Presidents Cup
Speaking on the Golf Channel’s YouTube show, Leonard admitted he was delighted to select Bradley and feels that him being involved will only help his Ryder Cup captaincy in 2025.
“I’m happy for Keegan Bradley too. Obviously he’s got his connection now as the Ryder Cup captain next year and I wasn’t sure if he, cos his captaincy was probably most helped by being an assistant captain for the first time,” Leonard said.
“But he’s a player first a foremost and you don’t want to take that opportunity from him. And the way he played at the BMW, with his season on the line, beating an incredible field, it’s just a no-brainer.
“And I think honestly, him playing with this team will probably help his captaincy more. He’s going to get to know these guys, playing and practicing with them all week long.”
Bradley will very much be hoping to pick up some points and be on a winning team as he begins to make his own plans for the Ryder Cup next year.
The American will very much be looking to pick the brains of the likes of Leonard and Furyk through the week and then take any momentum he can into his own captaincy.
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