Keegan Bradley ‘shocked’ after USA team information ‘leaks’ ahead of 2025 Ryder Cup

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USA Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley isn’t overly pleased after important information about his team was leaked ahead of the Bethpage Black event.

It’s been a tumultuous couple of months for Bradley and his European counterpart, Luke Donald. Back in September, the PGA of America confirmed LIV Golf players would be eligible to play in New York. Furthermore, another stateside rumour suggested that the USA stars would be paid for their efforts, which breaks a 97-year Ryder Cup tradition.

The payment discourse, in particular, promises to rumble on well into the new year and will be cleverly utilised by the Europeans over the next nine months.

For Bradley, it’s an unnecessary distraction, and the 38-year-old isn’t happy with the news being leaked in the first place.

Keegan Bradley reacts to USA payment leaks

Ahead of this week’s Hero World Challenge at Albany, Bradley revealed that he was shocked to read the original reports and that a decision has yet to be finalised.

“To be honest with you, there’s not much to talk about; these leaks that came out were … leaks,” he told Sports Illustrated.

“I was shocked to see the leaks, as was the PGA of America. As was everybody involved. There’s been nothing that’s been finalised, done. This is all speculation at this point.

“I was definitely disappointed that someone leaked out that information. That was a shock, for sure.”

• READ MORE: Joel Dahmen issues one-word response when asked which US player could be a shock selection for the Ryder Cup team in 2025

What Tiger Woods has told USA players to do with Ryder Cup payments

Tiger Woods, who is this week’s host in the Bahamas, was the first to be quizzed on the Ryder Cup row during his press conference on Tuesday.

To the surprise of many, Woods told US players to hand their wages to charity, which is contrary to what the 15-time major winner said 25 years ago at Brookline. Woods was part of a US team which nearly boycotted the 1999 event over a payment row.

“I hope they get $5 million each and donate it all to charity…We didn’t want to get paid. We wanted to give more money to charity,” Woods said whilst facing the press at Albany.

Donald and the Europeans could benefit from the US payment row decision ahead of the Bethpage event. Many players, including Rory McIlroy, have expressed their wish to compete for free, and the European media will undoubtedly spin the ‘payment versus passion’ narrative numerous times before the first tee shot is struck.