With the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black just nine months away, Team USA captain Keegan Bradley has already started to take the steps to assemble what he hopes will be a winning team.
Bradley was the surprise pick for the Team USA role but in the main, has come across as a popular pick among both fans and players.
The 2011 PGA Championship winner is still hoping to actually play in the event himself and after showing good form in 2024, there’s a realistic chance he does indeed make the cut.
That means that Bradley will need the right team around him in terms of vice-captains and the USA skipper has moved in the last 24 hours to name Kevin Kisner as one of his second in commands.
“Kevin is a great addition to our leadership group and will be a trusted voice throughout the coming months and this year’s Ryder Cup,” Bradley said in a statement. “His extensive match-play success and strong relationships make him a perfect fit. I look forward to working with him closely as we get ready for Bethpage Black.”
Kisner will join Brandt Snedeker and Webb Simpson behind Bradley, while it remains to be seen if anyone else will be added to the party.
Of course, any announcement on the Ryder Cup is going to catch the American golf fans’ attention and over on social media, Kisner’s selection seems to have gone down a treat.
American golf fans delighted as Kevin Kisner named as Team USA vice-captain
With Kisner being a popular member of the PGA Tour and his on-course commentary being a feature of TV coverage in recent times, he’s built up a solid rapport with golf fans.
And over on X, the American Ryder Cup supporters have been voicing their support of Kisner’s appointment.
Another fan, @Gordo12238, also praised the pick, suggesting Kisner will bring a good feel to Team USA.
“Keegan intense. Kisner keeps it loose. Good pick.”
While @lilchumm had similar thoughts, suggesting Kisner will knit things together nicely.
“Kis is a great pick. Glue guy”
The positive comments kept coming as well for Kisner, with fans responding directly to the man himself and @space_wrangler suggesting the vice skipper be mic’d up.
“Awesome news! Bring some GRIT to this team and let’s get the W! Also, you need to be mic’d up for the fans entertainment.“
While @ChunkDubs commented on how good it was to see fresh faces involved under Bradley.
“Good to see. Get new blood in ass Captain spots. No more love couples etc”
And finally, the good feeling continued, with @kjb_0801 believing the combination of Bradley and Kisner will work a treat for the players.
“Him and Keegan are gunna have the boys juiced all week. Great move”
What Kevin Kisner has previously said about being snubbed for the Ryder Cup
Kisner and the Ryder Cup hardly go hand in hand and the American has been snubbed on a number of occasions for the team.
The last time he was snubbed was in 2022, with Steve Stricker opting against picking Kisner despite some decent form. And it’s safe to say that the 40-year-old has been less than impressed.
“I don’t know, man. They don’t like me I, guess,” Kisner said at the time. “I’ve had the same phone call for about four [Ryder Cups] in a row from about every captain. ‘Man, you were on the team and then you didn’t play well in the playoffs.’ OK, bud.”
“I don’t know. I didn’t give a s—,” he continued. “It’s too political for me, I didn’t really care, and I don’t really get caught up in that. I love Stricker to death, but he didn’t pick me this year, which I get.”
With the 2025 event soon to be upon us, Kisner will be looking to really make his mark on the team and prove those past captain’s were wrong.
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