Keegan Bradley says former Open winner deserved to be USA Ryder Cup captain instead of him

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Keegan Bradley is the man to lead Team USA at the 2025 Ryder Cup after his shock appointment last month.

The news took the golfing world completely off-guard, given the traditional route USA selectors have typically gone down.

Rory McIlroy was left in disbelief by Bradley’s appointment, and USA stalwart Rickie Fowler even admitted his surprise at the decision.

There were other names in contention before the six-time PGA Tour event winner was given the role.

At one point, Tiger Woods was a clear favourite, but the 15-time major champion declined the offer, citing other commitments. Former Open Championship winner Stewart Cink was also heavily linked, and Bradley has now discussed the 51-year-old’s Ryder Cup ambitions.

Keegan Bradley: Stewart Cink deserved to be 2025 Ryder Cup captain at Bethpage Black

Bradley recently appeared on the Fore Play Podcast hosted by journalist Dan Rapaport.

Perhaps surprisingly, the 38-year-old downplayed his selection as captain and even claimed Cink deserved the role.

“I wasn’t 100% comfortable with it at first, with just the legends that had been passed over,” said Bradley.

Rapaport responded, “Stewart Cink said he wanted to do it.” Bradley then replied, “He deserved it! I think about Justin Leonard. I was at the Ryder Cup in Brookline, and I told him this. That moment changed my life. It completely changed. I always wanted to be a PGA Tour player, and I was motivated, but that exact moment when he made that putt accelerated everything for me. I saw him; I watched it.”

Bradley added: “He is a legend. That is easily the most famous United States shot. So that was heavy. But then I had so much support from the players and the fans.”

It’s sink or swim for the USA at the 2025 Ryder Cup

• READ MORE: Three outside chances who could make the USA Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black

Despite the USA failing miserably in Paris, a drastic decision like this was perhaps needed. It’s important to remember that Team USA are usually formidable in typical American conditions.

And Bethpage Black will be well-suited to the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau.

Had the selectors stuck with an older head who was entering the twilight of their career, there’s every chance the USA would’ve been triumphant anyway, especially when you consider Europe haven’t won on American soil for 12 years.

Now, with the curveball captaincy choice, the decision makers have left themselves open to criticism should Luke Donald’s impressive Europeans reign victorious once more.