Justin Thomas has provided more detail on Keegan Bradley’s selection as Team USA’s Ryder Cup captain.
Bradley famously missed out on the 2023 team despite performing well for large parts of the PGA Tour season. Captain Zach Johnson instead opted to choose Thomas, and the USA went on to suffer a damaging loss in Rome.
The saga, which was shown on the Netflix series Full Swing, seemed to suggest Bradley should have made the team. Thomas has now claimed the show wasn’t an accurate representation of Johnson’s decision-making.
Somewhat ironically, Thomas has been involved in selecting the captain for the 2025 edition at Bethpage Black, and the two-time major winner has explained why Bradley’s selection was challenging.
Justin Thomas had to withhold Ryder Cup information from Keegan Bradley
Speaking during the latest No Laying Up Podcast, Thomas claimed that it was “tough” keeping the secret from Bradley.
“I was in all the conversations and knew [about Bradley]. It was a tough, tough secret to keep because Keegan and I practice a lot down here. I’ve become a lot closer to him over the past couple of years,” said Thomas.
The 31-year-old revealed that he played two practice rounds with the now Ryder Cup captain whilst knowing the selection committee’s decision.
“We coincidentally happened to play back-to-back weeks of practice rounds after I had known what was going to be happening,” Thomas added. “It was tough, but there was a lot of conversation looking at it and hitting it from every single angle, and everyone on board thought this was the best option.”
Keegan Bradley was a left-field appointment who could work for Team USA
- READ MORE: Justin Thomas shares key reason why he’s not at Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele’s level
With Bradley still competing on the PGA Tour and performing well, there’s every chance of the 38-year-old playing his way onto the team. And Thomas has backed him to perform if such a scenario does play out.
The USA selection committee has typically chosen players nearing the latter stages of their careers who stand no chance of making the team on merit.
Johnson, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, Davis Love III, Tom Watson and Corey Pavin were all in the twilight of their careers.
Perhaps witnessing Europe’s success with Luke Donald has also influenced their decision-making. Although there’s no hope of the 46-year-old making the team, he’s still regularly playing on the PGA and DP World Tours.
Given Team USA’s change of tact, similar success unfolding at Bethpage wouldn’t be surprising.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
