Veteran PGA Tour player Stewart Cink has publicly advised Keegan Bradley to step down from his captaincy role and participate as a player in the upcoming Ryder Cup. Scheduled for September at Bethpage Black Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York, this year’s Ryder Cup features Bradley as the captain of the United States team. Cink’s recommendation comes amid the US team’s desire to strengthen their lineup following a loss to Europe in the previous edition.
Bradley was chosen as the captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup instead of Zach Johnson, while Luke Donald continues his role as the European team captain. Cink expressed his opinion on SiriusXM PGA Tour radio, emphasizing that Bradley’s involvement as a player would benefit Team USA more than his captaincy responsibilities.
“I think he should be on the team…but I also think the team would probably be best served…If he let someone else take over the captain’s duties for the week.”
—Stewart Cink, PGA Tour veteran
Keegan Bradley’s 2025 Season Performance: A Closer Look
In the 2025 PGA Tour season, Keegan Bradley delivered strong performances, including a victory at the Travelers Championship. He finished the event at 15 under par, marking his only tournament win this season. Alongside this victory, Bradley secured several top-10 finishes such as a tie for sixth at the Sony Open and a tie for fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, reflecting consistent form throughout the year.
Below is a detailed overview of Bradley’s 2025 tournament finishes and scores:
- The Sentry at Kapalua Resort: Tied 15th, 21 under par (69-64-70-68)
- Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club: Tied 6th, 13 under par (69-66-64-68)
- Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines: Tied 15th, 1 under par (69-75-70-73)
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links: Tied 65th, 2 under par (72-69-76-69)
- Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines: Tied 34th, even par (74-72-72-70)
- Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club and Lodge: Tied 5th, 7 under par (69-72-76-64)
- THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass: Tied 20th, 4 under par (70-72-72-70)
- Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio: Tied 47th, 3 over par (71-69-74-77)
- Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club: Missed cut, 3 over par (74-73)
- RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links: Tied 18th, 9 under par (67-69-67-72)
- Truist Championship at Philadelphia Cricket Club: Tied 30th, 5 under par (64-72-68-71)
- PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club: Tied 8th, 4 under par (68-72-68-72)
- The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club: Tied 7th, 1 under par (69-76-68-74)
- U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club: Tied 33rd, 15 under par (64-70-63-68)
- Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands: Winner, 15 under par (64-70-63-68)
- Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club: Tied 41st, 12 under par (68-70-71-67)
- The Open at Royal Portrush Golf Club: Tied 30th, 4 under par (72-67-70-71)
- Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club: Missed cut, even par (68-72)
- FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind: Tied 44th, 2 under par (72-70-69-67)
- BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club: Tied 17th, 1 under par (72-70-70-67)
Potential Consequences if Bradley Chooses to Play Instead of Captain
Stewart Cink’s suggestion carries significant implications for Team USA’s strategy at the Ryder Cup. If Bradley decides to hand over captaincy duties to another leader, the team may gain an additional experienced player who could impact the competition directly. His recent form, highlighted by multiple top finishes and a tournament win, supports the argument for his participation as a competitor rather than in a managerial role.
The Ryder Cup’s highly competitive environment demands the strongest possible lineup, especially after the United States’ loss to Europe in the 2023 match. Bradley’s choice could influence the team’s dynamics and overall chances of reclaiming the trophy on home soil at Bethpage Black Golf Course.
Whether Bradley will reconsider his captaincy role remains to be seen, but Cink’s call sheds light on the ongoing discussions within the US golf community regarding the best approach to assembling a winning Ryder Cup team.