U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Keegan Bradley is preparing to play in the fourth & final Major Championship of the 2025 season, with significant implications on the line for the roster he will take to Bethpage Black for the 2025 Ryder Cup.
Bradley sat down prior to his trip to Portrush for The Open Championship for the first installment of “Catching Up with Captain Keegan Bradley” to get an inside look at how the U.S. Team is coming together.
Balancing Two Roles: Player and Captain
“Right now I have two jobs — one inside the ropes, and that’s my real job. It’s what I worked my whole life to do. And then once I leave the ropes and leave the golf course, really, I have a whole other second job that I have to manage. I try to work on being a captain every day at some point — and I’m working on it.”
Inside the Ropes is Bradley’s Sanctuary
“When I get to the golf course, when I’m inside the ropes, I try to be a player first and foremost. So the inside the ropes is sort of like a sanctuary for me, where I can let the Ryder Cup fade for a little bit and just focus on being a player. Then, once I’m outside the ropes, I go back to being a captain again.”
How Captaincy Has Helped His Game
“One of the ways being captain has helped me play is that when I’m inside the ropes, I’m really focused on just playing. Normally after a round I’d be overthinking my swing or next tournament — now, I’m hyper-focused on the Ryder Cup when I leave the course. In a weird way, it’s helped me.”
The Potential of Competing as a Playing Captain
“I’ve been playing some pretty good golf, but so have a lot of other Americans. If I wasn’t captain, making this team would be my number one goal. That doesn’t change. Even as captain, I still feel like I have a good chance to make the team.”
Getting to Know the Next Generation
“I’ve gotten to know Matt McNealy, Novak, Ben Griffin better — these guys are coming on hot this year. I’m learning how they think, who they are on the course, and what kind of players they are. I feel like I need to look at everyone as a potential team member.”
Evaluating 25+ Players for 12 Spots
“Right now I see 20–25 guys as part of the team. You never know who’s going to win the British Open or go on a hot run. Someone who’s 25th today could be right in the mix a month from now. So I look at everyone down the list as part of the team — and we’ll narrow it to 12 later.”
Crowd Support & the Unexpected Spotlight
“This is something I didn’t expect. It started at the BMW last year — the crowd chanting ‘USA’ and calling me ‘Captain.’ A few moments this year have felt like a Ryder Cup. I realized I’m going through something no one has ever gone through — not Tiger, not Jack, not Ben Hogan — no one’s tried to be Ryder Cup captain while still playing at a high level.”
Embracing the Unprecedented
“I’m coming down the stretch of majors and big tournaments as Ryder Cup captain. That’s never happened. And hearing the extreme support, people cheering for the red, white, and blue — it’s been spectacular.”
Fans Everywhere — Even the Gas Station
“I hear it on every hole, every round. I go to a gas station or a restaurant and people will say something or buy me dessert. It’s taken me by surprise. This wasn’t even in my dreams — walking up 18 with a crowd chanting ‘USA’ is a true pinch-me moment.”
Giving His All to Every Role
“My parents were both hard workers, and they did the best they could for us. For me, I can’t do anything less than 100%. Whether it’s being a dad, a golfer, or a Ryder Cup captain — I give everything I have.”
Flashback to Meeting Scottie Scheffler
“That must’ve been the first time I met Scottie. I didn’t realize he’d become one of the most dominant golfers ever — but I remember that Junior Ryder Cup at Medinah. What a cool opportunity that was.”
Logan’s Picks & Ryder Cup Excitement
“My oldest son, Logan, is starting to get it. He doesn’t fully understand how big this is, but when he sees an American leading, he gets excited. He asked me who my picks are — and he said I have to pick Scottie Scheffler. I said, ‘You nailed that one.’ He loves sports and tournaments, but the Ryder Cup is on another level. I think it’s going to shock him.”
The Status of the 2012 Ryder Cup Bag
“That bag is still there — it’s in the garage. Sometimes I go out and see it taunting me in the corner. It’s a weird relationship. Ninety percent of the 2012 Ryder Cup was the greatest golf experience I’ve had… and the other ten percent was the worst by a mile. Hopefully we can get some redemption.”