Former Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson has expressed interest in the possibility of Keegan Bradley serving as a playing captain at the upcoming Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in September. Johnson praised Bradley’s current performance level and described him as a consistent figure in the sport.
Johnson, who captained the U.S. team at the 2023 Ryder Cup, admitted that he was not competing at Bradley’s caliber to consider a playing captainship during the Rome event. While calling the idea a significant hypothetical, he noted that discussions about Bradley playing at Bethpage are unsurprising. He also emphasized that those responsible for team decisions will face challenging choices about Bradley’s role.
Johnson shared that managing both playing and captain duties would have been difficult for him personally, but he fully trusts the judgment of the U.S. Ryder Cup leadership regarding such matters.
Zach Johnson Reflects on the Complexity of a Playing Captain Role
In an interview with The Golf Channel, Johnson addressed the idea of Bradley taking on a playing captain position. He said,
“I mean obviously that’s a massive hypothetical. I could not, personally, but I wasn’t playing at near the level that Keegan (Bradley) was playing then or now. No one’s surprised by that level, I mean, we’re talking about a stalwart in our game…” —Zach Johnson, Former Ryder Cup Captain
“No, I cannot, but, I say that, it’s hypothetical. I don’t know what would have transpired if that were the case. This year, they’re going to have difficult choices regardless, whether he’s playing or not. Ultimately, I firmly trust any and all decisions that they’ll be making.” —Zach Johnson, Former Ryder Cup Captain
Currently ranked seventh globally, Bradley’s name entered the conversation about a playing captain after his victory at the Travelers Championship. If chosen, he would become the first U.S. Ryder Cup playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963, marking a rare dual role in modern golf.
Keegan Bradley Clarifies His Initial Intentions Regarding Ryder Cup Participation
Johnson’s remarks followed closely on the heels of Bradley’s 2025 Travelers Championship win at TPC River Highlands. After his victory, the 39-year-old addressed the speculation surrounding his potential participation as a playing captain at Bethpage, explaining that playing was not originally part of his plan. Bradley, the 2011 PGA Champion, stated he was primarily focused on leading the team as captain, rather than competing.
When asked about this by the media, Bradley told ASAP Sports,
“So, I got the call at 8 o’clock tonight a year ago today. So, I’ve been getting these questions for a year. Whether I play well or play poorly, it’s something that I have become used to. To be honest with you, I never really planned on playing. I really wanted to just be the captain. I really felt strongly about that. I want to serve the guys. They asked me to do a job. I want to do it to the best of my abilities.” —Keegan Bradley, Golfer and Ryder Cup Captain
Despite this, Bradley did not completely dismiss the idea of playing. He suggested he might accept the role if the U.S. Ryder Cup Team offered it to him, provided he earns a place on the team through qualification. He emphasized that he would not consider being included as a captain’s pick and that qualifying through ranking would be essential for him to take on a dual role.
The Significance of Bradley’s Role at the Ryder Cup
Bradley’s potential role as a playing captain carries both historical and strategic weight. Balancing leadership and competitive performance is a responsibility that has been seldom undertaken, and the last U.S. player to do so was the legendary Arnold Palmer over six decades ago. Given the pressures of the Ryder Cup and the intense scrutiny on team decisions, the choice for Bradley’s exact role will be closely watched by fans and experts alike.
With Bradley’s strong form elevated by his recent win and his high world ranking, the upcoming decisions around the U.S. Ryder Cup Team composition promise to be complex and pivotal. Zach Johnson’s perspective sheds light on the difficulty of juggling dual responsibilities but affirms confidence in the leadership making those calls.
As the Ryder Cup approaches in September at the challenging Bethpage Black Course, both Bradley and the U.S. team face crucial decisions that will shape America’s campaign, highlighting the ongoing debate about tradition, leadership, and performance in modern golf.