Keegan Bradley recently captured the Travelers Championship title, marking his first win of the season and his first since the BMW Championship last year. This victory has sparked discussions about his dual role in the upcoming Ryder Cup, particularly whether he should remain the U.S. team captain or also compete as one of the players. The Ryder Cup is set to take place from September 25 to 28, 2025, at Bethpage Black Golf Course in New York.
Trent Ryan, a co-host of the Foreplay golf podcast, weighed in on Bradley’s position, suggesting that his on-course performance warrants inclusion as a player in addition to his captaincy. Bradley outpaced Tommy Fleetwood, who had led much of the Travelers Championship, finishing with a score of 15-under par 265 to secure the win.
Arguments for Including Bradley as a Player on the U.S. Ryder Cup Team
During a recent Foreplay podcast episode, Trent Ryan expressed confidence in Bradley’s potential contribution as a player during the Ryder Cup. Ryan stated:
“I think he deserves to be one of the 12 guys on that Ryder Cup team. If you’re looking at it purely from a perspective of like is this going to help team USA defeat team Europe, I think he’s in.”
Ryan highlighted Bradley’s recent form as a strong asset for Team USA’s chances against Europe and argued that his playing skills should not be sidelined in favor of a solely managerial role.
However, Ryan’s co-host Frankie Borrelli voiced reservations about Bradley balancing captaincy and gameplay. He remarked:
“I just don’t know how I feel about the captaincy. I know that he said he’s put a lot of work into it and I know that he’s prideful of the amount of work that he’s put in.”
Borrelli also referenced the U.S. team‘s defeat in Rome in 2023, emphasizing his preference for team members focusing on a single role:
“There’s a part of me that thinks like I want my guys just dedicated to one role when you’re going into that.”
The conversation between the two hosts centered on whether Bradley could successfully manage both responsibilities in the tournament.
Keegan Bradley Reaffirms Commitment to Ryder Cup Captaincy Despite New Victory
Keegan Bradley was officially named captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team for 2025, with Kevin Kisner, Webb Simpson, Jim Furyk, and Brandt Snedeker appointed as his vice captains. Bradley recently addressed questions regarding the impact of his Travelers Championship win on his role.
In a post-win interview with golf journalist Daniel Rapaport, Bradley confirmed that his captaincy remains his top priority. He stated:
“Well, I’m definitely going to still be the captain. That I’m not stepping down or any of that. I’ve put too much work into this.”
At 39 years old, Bradley also expressed that having such experienced vice captains supporting him would make managing a potential dual role as captain and player more comfortable, though his primary focus continues to be leadership.
Implications for Team USA and the 2025 Ryder Cup
The discussions surrounding Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup captaincy and possible inclusion as a player highlight the balancing act between leadership responsibilities and on-course performance. His recent win at the Travelers Championship strengthens his case for selection as a player, yet Bradley’s sustained commitment to the captaincy role signals a need for clear role definitions within the U.S. team.
With the Ryder Cup scheduled at Bethpage Black Golf Course, a challenging and prestigious venue, Team USA’s strategy in choosing their lineup will be crucial for facing the strong European squad. The involvement of veteran vice captains Kevin Kisner, Webb Simpson, Jim Furyk, and Brandt Snedeker adds depth to the leadership team, potentially easing Bradley’s workload and providing guidance regardless of whether he plays.
As the event draws closer, monitoring how Bradley, his vice captains, and the U.S. team address these role dynamics will be essential in shaping their path toward victory.