With Keegan Bradley probably amongst those who never expected Keegan Bradley to get the call about captaining the 2025 US Ryder Cup team, it is fair to say that the PGA of America have taken a huge gamble in appointing him for Bethpage Black.
While golf fans have learned over the last few years to expect the unexpected, few would have ever imagined that Keegan Bradley would be asked to captain the US team for the 2025 Ryder Cup.
Tiger Woods turned down the captaincy. Nevertheless, the 2011 PGA champion still never seemed to be a potential candidate to succeed Zach Johnson, particularly as Bradley had not been on a team since 2014.
But the decision has started to make a lot more sense as time has gone on. Bradley seems to have an affection for Bethpage Black like few other players on the PGA Tour. Meanwhile, there is no question at all that he has the passion for the role.
Kevin Kisner amazed by Ryder Cup captain Kevin Kisner
And it seems that one of those who has been convinced about Bradley’s suitability for the role is Kevin Kisner.
Kisner will be one of Bradley’s vice-captain in New York. And speaking on the Fore Play Podcast, Kisner explained why he has been so impressed by the 38-year-old already.
“The most impressed thing I have been is how involved Keegan Bradley is about this. This is like his sole mission in life is to do this and do this the right way,” he said.
“When I went down and practiced when we played in TGL, me and him sat down on the green for an hour and talked. Just about all he wants to do. We are eight months out and this dude has a legit plan, he has tons of great ideas, he is an ultimate leader when it comes to running the show. I am blown away by how well he is doing so far.”
What American players have told Keegan Bradley about his role at the Ryder Cup
The key question facing Bradley heading into the Ryder Cup is whether captaincy will be the only role he ends up having. He was unlucky to miss out on a captain’s pick in Rome in 2023, while he was in Jim Furyk’s side for the Presidents Cup the following year.
It has been a very long time since there was a playing-captain in the Ryder Cup. And given how long it has been since someone has taken on that role, it is clearly a monumental task.
But Bradley confirmed that the American players want him on the team later this year. So it is going to be really interesting to see what he may decide to do should he look set to qualify – or put himself in a position where he would be foolish not to pick himself.
Perhaps Kisner will have a little more responsibility than he expected by the time the Ryder Cup rolls around.
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