Peter Finch unconvinced after the USA make ‘weirdest’ decision ahead of 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage

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YouTube Golf star Peter Finch is sceptical about the United States’ decision-making ahead of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage.

With a Ryder Cup year now upon the golfing world, September’s event in New York will be a hot topic over the next nine months – and drama has already unfolded.

The USA’s decision to pay its players for the first time has proven highly controversial. During the entire history of the Ryder Cup, those competing have done so for the love of the competition and never for financial reasons. What’s more, the PGA of America’s insane ticket prices also sparked fury.

Fans would need to pay $750 to enter Bethpage during tournament days, a considerable hike from the prices in Rome in 2023.

What’s more, Keegan Bradley‘s appointment as Ryder Cup captain has also come under the microscope – and Finch is still unconvinced.

Peter Finch makes claim about Keegan Bradley

Bradley is still performing at a high level on the PGA Tour and could easily qualify for the United States automatically.

Finch believes appointing Bradley whilst he is still actively competing with the world’s best players is “strange” and somewhat unfair.

“If he plays himself in on merit, he should play, but I also think picking Keegan Bradley for Ryder Cup captain was the weirdest pick for a captain ever anyway. It just didn’t make any sense. It’s just like a sort of ‘we know you didn’t get in last year, we are sorry, we know you love the Ryder Cup, do you want to be captain?’. Keegan Bradley is still playing well, he’s still a good player,” Finch said.

“It’s just a strange one because when you pick a Ryder Cup captain it’s because their top playing days are done. Luke Donald was still playing good golf but not good enough to win tournaments and put himself in contention. Once you’re Ryder Cup captain, you should never have the opportunity to play yourself into the team.

“If you’re Keegan Bradley, you’re still one of the best players in the world. Would he rather play or be captain? Surely, he’d rather play than be captain.”

• READ MORE: Peter Finch predicts ‘what’s going to happen’ to his YouTube channel after Rick Shiels voices concern

Will Keegan Bradley play in the 2025 Ryder Cup?

Given Bradley’s form and standing in the professional game, there’s a very real possibility of the one-time major winner actually making his team.

But what has the 38-year-old said about the prospect of playing at Bethpage?

“I want to play on the team,” Bradley said back in July. “I feel like I’m still in the prime of my career and can make this team.”

Bradley did accept, however, that he wouldn’t be picking himself for the Long Island event. “I want to make the team on points,” Bradley added. “Otherwise, I’m going to be the captain.”

If Bradley plays at Bethpage, he will become the first person since Arnold Palmer in 1963 to be a playing captain at a Ryder Cup. The United States won the event 23-9 at Atlanta Athletic Club 62 years ago.