While it has been a lacklustre start to 2025 for those likely to be key players on the US Ryder Cup team, there has been a number of impressive showings from their captain Keegan Bradley.
Ever since Keegan Bradley was named as the US Ryder Cup captain, questions were asked about whether the 2011 PGA Champion could end up making his own team as a player. Bradley is arguably playing as well as he has done for more than a decade.
He won the BMW Championship last year, while he has four top 15 finishes on the PGA Tour in 2025. His best finish yet this year came this past week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Bradley posted an eight under par final round to move up to fifth at Bay Hill. He broke the front nine record by making the turn in just 29 on Sunday.
Keegan Bradley knocking on the door for a Ryder Cup spot after the Arnold Palmer Invitational
Bradley is currently outside the top 12 in the Ryder Cup standings. But that will surely change if his current form continues over the coming months.
The US team want Bradley to play, but no-one on the team will want to do anything which dents their chances of winning at Bethpage. And with that, there may have to be some very difficult conversations should Bradley make the team as a player.
Nevertheless, speaking on The Smylie Show following his performance at Bay Hill, Smylie Kaufman insisted that he would love to see Bradley take on both roles if he gets the chance.
“On fire. That’s a huge week for him from a points standpoint. I still think that Keegan Bradley, whether he likes it or not, I think players at the end of this year, how well he’s playing, I know he is adamant on having to qualify for points, but it just seems like you want him playing,” he said.
“The way he plays, I know he can inspire guys with his voice, but he can also do it with his clubs too, whether he just plays only two matches, that could be enough for me. I just want to see him play, honestly. I’d love to see a playing-captain.”
Keegan Bradley has already been at the centre of some controversy ahead of Bethpage
Bradley has already caused a little controversy during his time as captain, after appearing in Full Swing giving the US Presidents Cup team from Royal Montreal last year a pep talk which did include some strong language.
He admitted that he was not aware that he was being filmed at the time. But he insisted that he did not see the comments inspiring the Europeans.
“I mean, maybe. I don’t think the Europeans need any more motivation to win the Ryder Cup,” he said when asked about whether it could motivate the opposition.
“They’re a special group of players, and the Ryder Cup means a lot to them. And when the Ryder Cup year, and when the Ryder Cup comes along, they really seem to come together and play their best golf. So I think that they’re motivated enough to beat us.”
It is obviously not the kind of language you often hear from golfers. However, fans of both teams should be excited whenever a moment like this takes place – similar to when Rory McIlroy lost his cool in the car park at Marco Simone in 2023.
The Ryder Cup is so special because of how much it means to all of the players and the captains. No-one should have to justify getting a little carried away when it comes to this event in particular.
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