Keegan Bradley is currently in strong form as the 2025 Ryder Cup approaches, sparking ongoing discussions about his potential dual role as both player and captain for Team USA. On Friday at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Bradley secured a bogey-free 4-under 67 to make the cut, marking his first time advancing in a British major since 2018. Despite this momentum, the golfer expressed uncertainty about serving as a playing skipper at Bethpage Black.
Bradley’s contemplation of this unusual role stems from past examples, most notably Tiger Woods’ experience as a playing captain at the 2019 Presidents Cup. The 39-year-old successor to Zach Johnson for the 2025 event has turned to Woods for guidance, hoping to navigate the complexities of potentially leading while competing.
Keegan Bradley Credits Tiger Woods for Guidance in Ryder Cup Decisions
After Tiger Woods declined the captaincy role for the upcoming Ryder Cup, Bradley found himself facing a challenging decision without precedent in recent Ryder Cup history. He opened up about relying heavily on Woods for advice during this process, recognizing Woods’ unique experience as a player–captain in the Presidents Cup.
“It’s interesting because so many times in my career I’ve leaned on other players to help me go through situations, whether it’s endorsements or certain situations or how I feel in tournaments. I have no one to talk to about this… I can’t call someone who’s done it. Tiger Woods did it at the Presidents Cup. I’ve spoken to him a ton about this. There’s a few other guys that have done it in the Presidents Cup, but the Ryder Cup is a much different animal.”
—Keegan Bradley, Golfer
The Valuable Role of Tiger Woods in Bradley’s Ryder Cup Journey
Bradley further praised Woods’ support as invaluable, highlighting the personal kindness and openness Woods has shown throughout his career and during the current Ryder Cup discussions.
“Tiger (Woods) has been really helpful. He obviously turned this position down and it came to me, so he’s been very helpful in this process. Tiger has been really, really great to me over the course of my career. He does a lot of things for us players that he doesn’t do for the media. So he’s been really helpful to me my whole life. Really kind to me actually. During this process, he’s been one of the most helpful people that I’ve had.”
—Keegan Bradley, Golfer
Woods’ performance as a player–captain in 2019 was remarkable, winning all three of his matches and leading Team USA to a 16-14 victory over the International team at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Victoria, Australia.
Bradley’s Current Standing and Questions of Playing While Leading
Ranked seventh globally and ninth in the US Ryder Cup team standings, Bradley’s position as a leading player on the team is secure. However, he remains uncertain about whether he will select himself as a player at Bethpage Black. When asked about the possibility of being a captain’s pick, Bradley admitted he “don’t really have an answer,” reflecting the complexity of balancing leadership and competition duties.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black
The Ryder Cup will take place from September 26 to 28, 2025, at Bethpage Black in New York. While Bradley prepares for his dual responsibilities, England’s Luke Donald will lead the European squad. The decisions made by Bradley, influenced profoundly by Woods’ mentorship, will play a significant role in shaping Team USA’s strategy and performance in this prestigious team event.