Paul Azinger names the three LIV Golf players Keegan Bradley should have picked for USA’s team at the Ryder Cup

Add as preferred source on Google

Keegan Bradley is set to remain in the spotlight for some time following Europe’s victory over his American side at the Ryder Cup.

European captain Luke Donald praised Bradley shortly after the tussle at Bethpage Black, which the visitors won 15-13.

At the same time, however, Bradley has come under fire for his leadership of the US team, which ultimately ended in failure despite a late fightback.

Bradley admitted a feeling of regret after losing the Ryder Cup on home soil, having taken over in the role from Zach Johnson.

Johnson also lost as captain in 2023, with Donald guiding the close-knit European team to the title on both occasions.

Paul Azinger names three LIV Golf players Keegan Bradley should have picked for the Ryder Cup

It is, however, the latest incumbent in the firing line at this moment in time, with winning US Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger now adding to the debate with a big selection call concerning LIV Golf.

Azinger, who guided his side to success in 2008, said on Golf Subpar: “I feel like once we dipped into the well on LIV, we probably should have brought five times major winning [Brooks] Koepka who won the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black.

READ MORE: Phil Mickelson picks America’s best player over the whole Ryder Cup after being amazed by his golf

“Then maybe pick Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson. If you are going to dip into the LIV pool and pull Bryson [DeChambeau].

“I would have really probably pulled Koepka. There is no way Koepka is not going to man up and play great this Ryder Cup but they did not.

“But Europe did not have a problem bringing [Jon] Rahm and [Tyrrell] Hatton, they play for the Smashers over there on the LIV Tour, so they are already teammates. That was a brilliant pair and a brilliant pick, Luke did everything right.”

How did Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson perform in the 2025 majors?

European duo Rahm and Hatton incidentally play for Legion XIII on LIV Golf as opposed to Smash GC, but they certainly enjoyed themselves at the Ryder Cup.

The Englishman claimed 3.5 points for his side, second only to the four of Tommy Fleetwood, while the Spaniard clinched three.

And DeChambeau was a shining light for America, who didn’t have much inspiration elsewhere throughout the week.

He represented the only LIV Golf player in the US Ryder Cup team, impressively automatically qualifying for Bradley’s side.

Hatton did the same for Donald’s men, while his Legion XIII teammate Rahm was a captain’s pick for Bethpage.

And that understandable selection was quickly justified, which may not have been the case for the likes of Koepka, Reed and Johnson.

All three are at least one-time major championship winners, but clearly weren’t in the right form in Bradley’s mind to make the team in New York.

The trio do, however, boast huge experience, which could have helped the hosts at key stages, particularly given the presence of four rookies on their team.