What Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley’s relationship is already like as they face off as Ryder Cup captains

Add as preferred source on Google

Smylie Kaufman has shared what the relationship between Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley is like, with the latter now named as America’s captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

America have announced who will be tasked with trying to regain the Samuel Ryder trophy in New York next year, with Europe already confirming that Luke Donald will be staying on after his triumph in Rome in 2023.

Few would have surely expected who America would opt for, with Sports Illustrated on Monday that Keegan Bradley will get the nod. The 38-year-old was arguably unlucky to miss out on a captain’s pick from Zach Johnson last time out, but it seems he will now be stepping up into the captaincy role.

Bradley only played in two Ryder Cups, but he is no stranger to facing Luke Donald, with the pair squaring off in two matches during the Miracle at Medinah in 2012. On both occasions, it was Bradley who stole the spoils, with his partnership with Phil Mickelson proving to be a highlight for the Americans.

What relationship Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley have

Donald has spent most of his career playing on the PGA Tour, so he has strong connections with many of his rivals. So perhaps it is not all that surprising that Smylie Kaufman has told The Smylie Show that he gets on well with Bradley.

“I do think it’s kind of interesting too, the dynamic of Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley, really good friends, so those two guys have a friendly nature; a good relationship between the two of them I think is super interesting,” he said.

What Donald said about Bradley after 2012 Ryder Cup performance

Donald played an important role in Europe’s comeback 12 years ago, winning in that vital fourth session alongside Sergio Garcia – before they left the stage clear for Ian Poulter.

What was perhaps an initial turning point, in hindsight, was Davis Love III’s decision to rest Bradley and Mickelson ahead of the singles after they had won three points from three matches beforehand.

One of those wins saw the pair beat Donald and Lee Westwood 7&6 in a record-tying victory. And Donald would suggest that Bradley played like a rockstar that week.

But it was the Europeans who would lift the cup at the end of the week – and Donald will now hope to mastermind their first away win since that incredible event.