Keegan Bradley and Justin Thomas take on the PGA Championship this week, but the 2025 Ryder Cup will also be on their minds.
Thomas has climbed into the US Ryder Cup qualification places, with the event taking place at Bethpage Black in September.
He clinched his first win of the 2025 PGA Tour season at the RBC Heritage, a first title for Thomas since the 2022 PGA Championship.
The American now has 16 career PGA Tour wins, and followed up his RBC Heritage playoff win by finishing T2 at the Truist Championship.
Bradley meanwhile will captain the American team at the Ryder Cup later this year, having taken over the role from Zach Johnson.
How Keegan Bradley feels watching Justin Thomas ahead of the Ryder Cup
And he has been discussing Thomas ahead of the PGA Championship, having been reminded of previous comments whereby Bradley regretted always viewing other players as his competition.
Asked if he now relishes having a different viewpoint on his fellow professionals, Bradley said: “Yes. I really regret early parts of my career… who knows, maybe it helped me play well. I wouldn’t know if I did it differently.
“But I look up to a lot of these guys in the way that they treat each other, in that they are genuinely happy for their friend that wins or plays well.
“I never really felt that. I was always like wanting to beat everybody. I think it’s been great for me to get around those guys and feel that sort of joy that they have for their friends.
“As the captain now, I see a guy like Justin Thomas win, and I feel like I’m in the car cheering, like it’s just so fun for me to have that feeling.
“I sort of feel like a big brother to a lot of these guys. I thank them for helping me see that side. I think it’s a much better way to go about life on the Tour.”
Keegan Bradley can learn from Luke Donald to clinch Ryder Cup success
Many intriguing rivalries have played out in golf over the years, with legendary figures Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, for example, not always seeing eye-to-eye.
The same can be said of many other players now given that they are competing on the rival tours of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
But Bradley would be smart to lead the way with harmony among American players, who should be adopting such an approach for Bethpage Black.
Talent and form are undoubtedly crucial to Ryder Cup success, where the trophy and perhaps more importantly bragging rights are on the line.
But team unity has been key to many wins over the years, with European captain Luke Donald having expertly created a real sense of harmony among his players.
He is certain to adopt a similar approach for Bethpage Black, where the visitors are looking to defend their crown after winning in Rome in 2023.
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