Justin Thomas has publicly supported Keegan Bradley’s potential dual role as both player and captain for the United States Ryder Cup team, set to compete at Bethpage Black in 2025. With Bradley performing strongly on the PGA Tour this season, Thomas expressed willingness to have Bradley on the team despite the added responsibilities of captaincy, highlighting ongoing discussions around Bradley’s unique position.
Keegan Bradley, who secured a win at the Travelers Championship in June and has earned multiple top-10 finishes, currently sits 11th in the US team player standings. This places him close to selection for one of the player spots while also serving as captain. Justin Thomas, who is likely to compete for the U.S. team himself, acknowledged that if he were the captain, he would be open to choosing Bradley as a player as well.
When asked whether he would pick Bradley for the Ryder Cup team, Thomas responded simply, “Yeah, I would.” However, he also noted the significant challenges involved in handling both roles simultaneously.
The challenges of Bradley’s dual captain-player role explained by Justin Thomas
Thomas warned that managing the dual responsibility as captain and player will be demanding, describing it as “a lot” to handle. He expressed confidence in Bradley’s decision-making but recognized the difficult balance required.
“It is, it’s a lot. I think Keegan would say the same. I don’t think he would say it’s easy by any means. But I have myself, whatever other captains, automatic qualifiers have all the faith in the world that whatever he decides to do is going to be in the best interest of the team.” —Justin Thomas, PGA Tour golfer
Bradley accepted the captaincy for the 2025 Ryder Cup following Zach Johnson’s term and, by opting to play as well, would become the first U.S. playing captain since Arnold Palmer held the role in 1963. This historical context adds weight to discussions about whether the dual role is prudent or overly taxing.
Thomas reflects on the pressures Ryder Cup captains face after defeat
During a press conference on the first day of the Tour Championship, Thomas addressed the intense scrutiny captains face when their team loses. He acknowledged that with Bradley potentially serving as both player and captain this year, the stakes are even higher. Thomas admitted the captain role often invites criticism regardless of decisions made, describing it as
“damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t.”
“It is… Yeah, obviously it’s more so this year with it being a captain that has every right in the world to be playing on the team. But I’ve felt that way every team, that the captain is damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t, with his picks, with who he sends out when, with the pairings… It’s all very important stuff, and I have yet to see anything on our end like an ‘Oh, my gosh, this captain lost us the Cup.’” —Justin Thomas, PGA Tour golfer
Reflecting on past experiences with teams that did not win, Thomas described those losses as “pretty crappy” performances by players. While he placed ultimate responsibility on the team members, he empathized with the tough position captains occupy when results are unfavorable.
Implications of Bradley’s unique role on the 2025 Ryder Cup
Keegan Bradley’s potential status as a playing captain carries significant implications for the U.S. team dynamics in the Ryder Cup. Balancing playing duties and leadership responsibilities will require careful management to ensure team cohesion and overall performance. Justin Thomas’s support signals trust from experienced players in Bradley’s ability to act in the team’s best interest, despite the inherent difficulties.
As the 2025 Ryder Cup approaches, attention will remain on how Bradley’s dual role affects strategy, motivation, and morale. His leadership style and performance on the course may set the tone for the United States’ effort to reclaim the trophy on home soil at Bethpage Black.