The PGA of America has reportedly chosen its captain to steer Group USA on the Ryder Cup subsequent fall at Bethpage Black.
It’s a relatively outside-the-box choice. Keegan Bradley—the person Zach Johnson snubbed a 12 months in the past—will reportedly captain the American aspect at Bethpage Black, per Bob Harig of Sports activities Illustrated.
Bradley has competed within the Ryder Cup twice, experiencing defeat on each events. In his Ryder Cup debut, he witnessed the Europeans storm again on Sunday to win the competitors at Medinah in 2012. Then, two years later, Group Europe defeated the People at Gleneagles in Scotland, 16.5-to-11.5, as Phil Mickelson famously disparaged Group USA chief Tom Watson within the aftermath.
However now Bradley, who has suffered gut-punch after gut-punch all through his Ryder Cup profession—with none extra important than final 12 months—can have a possibility for the final word redemption story. He’ll lead the American aspect at Bethpage Black, lower than 25 miles from the place he performed collegiate golf at St. John’s College. He additionally loves this competitors greater than anything in golf, a testomony to his patriotism, drive, and adoration for team-match play.
“I take into consideration the Ryder Cup each second I’m awake, principally,” Bradley mentioned forward of final 12 months’s BMW Championship, a number of weeks earlier than Johnson neglected him for the likes of Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, and Sam Burns.
Bradley gained twice throughout the 2022-23 season, together with on the Vacationers Championship, the Signature Occasion in his native New England. He completed eleventh within the remaining Group USA Ryder Cup standings, finalized after the 2023 Tour Championship.
“I’m tremendous bummed out,” Bradley mentioned after he didn’t make the crew.
“I assumed I put collectively a very good 12 months with two wins, together with [one] in Hartford over an elite area. I’m happy with what I’ve performed… I’ve at all times been an outsider within the sport, however I’ve tried to get nearer to the blokes I assumed can be on the crew. I really feel like transferring ahead, I’m going to must robotically qualify for the Ryder Cup. [That said,] I’m [still] pulling for the U.S. Group.”
Bradley won’t must qualify for subsequent 12 months’s biennial competitors at Bethpage Black. As a substitute, he would be the gatekeeper, the person who will finally determine which gamers make the crew.
Different potential candidates included Stewart Cink and Fred {Couples}, however the PGA of America has determined to go in a unique path, one which Shakespeare would marvel at if Bradley can assist information the People to victory.
However not dissimilar to how Shakespearean tales have shocked readers for hundreds of years, golf followers have voiced their astonishment amid Harig’s report about Bradley:
He goes from lower to captain? Kinda prefer it, want him to convey all hitters
— Wabes (@__wabes) July 8, 2024
In fact, many golf followers displayed their outstanding humorousness, with some even speaking about Spieth and Thomas:
Going to snort my ass off when Speith and Thomas are left at house.
— The Golfpro (@the_golfpro) July 8, 2024
Others additionally authorized of the choice:
Keegan Bradley’s coronary heart was ripped out when ZJ mentioned he wouldn’t be on the 2023 crew.
Within the warmth of the second, he dealt with the information with grace, class, and maturity. His dedication to supporting his nation is outstanding, and that’s why he’ll make one hell of a captain. #RyderCup
— Mitch Bach (@MitchBach) July 8, 2024
He’s truly received balls and needs to compete. Guys up to now, like Zach Johnson, love the title and enjoyable of it. That’s not how the Europeans method it and it isn’t how the U.S. ought to.
I’d love if it’s Keegan Bradley. Give this crew some fireplace.
— thomas steez (@notorioussteez) July 8, 2024
That makes numerous sense. Perhaps one of the best use for Keegan Bradley. I dare say golfers would unite in believing that having that man on the wall to your crew helps you sleep at evening. Very sturdy Payne Stewart vibes. And I’ve lengthy believed his loss has helped cripple our RC groups
— Tom Stoner (@tstoner4) July 8, 2024
Different followers referenced Bradley’s Ryder Cup bag from Gleneagles, which has remained closed and sealed because the 2014 Ryder Cup. Bradley has mentioned he won’t open it till he is part of a successful Ryder Cup crew once more:
Does this imply he is allowed to open that Ryder Cup bag now?
(I form of like this; no one’s going to take it extra significantly than Keegan.) https://t.co/pyRVWU9Qx9
— Chris Parish (@cparish.bsky.social) (@TheChrisParish) July 8, 2024
If Keegan Bradley doesn’t convey the suitcase to the NYSE tomorrow morning and unzip it on nationwide TV then what are we even doing right here
— PJ Clark (@TheRealPJClark) July 8, 2024
After which there’s one fan who asks a wonderfully cheap query, particularly contemplating Bradley’s New England roots:
A Boston Pink Sox fan goes to captain the crew in New York? Are you kidding me?
— Brian Gardner (@Brian_F_Gardner) July 8, 2024
At any price, no one noticed this determination coming. Regardless, Bradley will put his coronary heart and soul into main the U.S. Group, which he dearly loves and admires.
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. Remember to try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.
