Keegan Bradley has revealed what he has told Tiger Woods ahead of the 2025 Ryder Cup, as he shared how he felt he needed to speak to the 15-time major champion before accepting the captaincy of the US team for Bethpage Black.
Keegan Bradley has held his first press conference since it was announced that he would be the man to lead the US team in New York as they look to regain the Ryder Cup.
It is certainly a call that few would have seen coming, with 38-year-old Bradley very much in contention to play in the Presidents Cup later this year. There is also a very real chance that he could be a playing captain in the Ryder Cup.
But of course, the decision came about after Tiger Woods turned down the chance to be captain. Woods has never tended to have his best form in the Ryder Cup and there had been accusations from fans – albeit, not for a long time – that he was never as comfortable in a team environment. However, Bradley has insisted that perception could not be more wrong.
Keegan Bradley shares what he’s told Tiger Woods ahead of 2025 Ryder Cup
Bradley was asked about the likelihood of Woods being one of his vice-captains next year, and he suggested that the door is absolutely open. He also outlined just how much the Ryder Cup means to Woods.
“As it comes to Tiger, I have told him he can be as involved as much as he wants to be. We haven’t talked about vice-captains, I haven’t talked vice-captains really with anybody,” he said.
“So we as players, we all look up to Tiger, and his opinion means a lot to us, and being in team rooms with Tiger, the public doesn’t realise how important this is to him. It’s everything, he lives and breathes this event, and I think it shows you how much he cares by turning this position down, because he didn’t feel like he could put in what he needed to do with all of his responsibility with what’s going on with the tour. I’ve been grateful, before I accepted this job I needed to talk to Tiger and I wanted to make sure, I wanted to hear from him, and we had a great conversation and I certainly need his input.”
One way or another, Woods will surely be involved in New York
Woods has previously been a vice-captain, back in 2016 at Hazeltine when the US largely cruised to victory under Davis Love III. And he has captained a winning Presidents Cup side – also playing in that event.
Given the competitor that Woods is, he probably believes that he should initially focus on making the team as a player. And it would definitely be fantastic to see him make another appearance as a player.
But surely, one thing you can guarantee is that Woods will be involved one way or another when Bradley leads his side at Bethpage Black.
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