Bradley opts for non-playing role as US Ryder Cup captain

Image courtesy PGA Tour/X.

By Rahul Banerji

Ending speculation given his run of form this year, US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley has said that he would not be among the 12 playing members of the team.

“It was a very difficult decision not to be on the team, but I’m very happy with the selection,” Bradley said at the PGA of America headquarters in Frisco, Texas, on Wednesday. 

“It broke my heart not to play, but ultimately it’s my job to do what’s best for the team. This is the right choice,” Bradley, the 2011 PGA Championship winner, said.

Instead, Bradley named Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns as captain’s picks to complete his 12-man team.

Griffin, Burns and Young will make their Ryder Cup debuts at the Bethpage Black course in Farmingdale in New York from September 26 to 28.

In the mix

The world number 11 was 11th in the race to make the playing 12 and among those pushing for him to play an active role was US president Donald Trump.

During the year Bradley had six top 10 finishes on the PGA Tour besides the Travellers Championship title.

“I grew up wanting to play Ryder Cups. I grew up wanting to fight alongside these guys, and it broke my heart not to play. It really did,” Bradley said. 

“But ultimately I was chosen to do a job. I was chosen to be a captain.”

America’s last playing captain was Arnold Palmer, 62 years ago.

Bradley, 39, said he had seriously considered a playing role, but ultimately prioritised the success of the squad.

“I was always going to do what was best for this team, even if that meant playing. I would have done it. 

Easy decision

“But these guys played incredibly coming down the stretch. And they made my decision easier.”

The six wildcards join automatic qualifiers Scottie Scheffler, the world number one, Open champion J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English and LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau.

This will be a fourth successive Ryder Cup appearance for Thomas while Morikawa and Cantlay will play the bi-annual event for a third time.

“There will be a lot of pressure but pressure is a privilege,” Morikawa was quoted as saying.

“We will look at the pressure as something to be overcome and being at home will be a big help. At the end of the day we will have to play great golf,” Morikawa said.

Europe captain Luke Donald will name his six wildcard picks on September 1 to join Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Rasmus Hojgaard and Tyrrell Hatton.

Europe are defending champions of the Ryder Cup having won the match in Rome two years ago.