Phil Mickelson has backed the “surprise” decision to name former Ryder Cup partner Keegan Bradley as Team USA captain for the 2025 tournament at Bethpage Black.
After Tiger Woods declined the appointment, Bradley was announced as Zach Johnson’s successor for next year’s tournament, and the 38-year-old was tasked with reclaiming the trophy after Europe won 16.5-11.5 in Rome last September.
The former major champion won three times against Mickelson in the 2012 ‘Miracle of Medina’ and was in the field after his loss at Gleneagles in 2014, before being controversially left out of the wild card spot last year despite having won twice on the PGA Tour.
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Keegan Bradley has been named the captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2025. Check out some of his best shots from when he was selected for Team USA in 2012 and 2014!
Stuart Cink and Fred Couples, who will be Johnson’s vice-captains in 2023, were seen as top candidates before Bradley was offered the captaincy, but Bradley admitted the decision came “out of the blue”. Mickelson is delighted his former teammate has been named captain.
“I was surprised by the choice, and the more I thought about it, the better it seemed,” Mickelson told the press ahead of the LIV Golf Andalusia event. “He played a lot of golf at Bethpage when he went to St. John’s (University).
Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley formed a formidable partnership over the first two days of the 2012 Ryder Cup.
“His passion for the Ryder Cup is greater than any player I’ve ever seen. His love for the Ryder Cup is greater than anyone I know. I think he’s going to lead with that passion.
“I think he’s absolutely amazing. I’m really, really happy for him. I think we’re all really happy for him, knowing how much it hurt him not to be on the team last year. Now that he’s got the opportunity to step up as a leader, I think it’s really great.”
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Paul McGinley talks about his thoughts when Keegan Bradley was announced as the US captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup and how he thinks he will fulfil his new role.
DeChambeau: Bradley is taking ‘the right approach’
Bradley believes playing regularly on the PGA Tour will help make up for his lack of captaincy experience. He has never been part of a Ryder Cup backroom team, but insists he will not choose to be captain unless he automatically qualifies.
He also confirmed he wants his team to have “the best 12 players” next year and is “not worried about the LIV issue” as talks continue between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which funds the LIV golf league, to integrate the men’s game.
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Schauffele said he was delighted with newly announced Team USA Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, admitting he knew the former PGA champion would be delighted.
Brooks Koepka was the only LIV golfer to represent the U.S. in Rome, while U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, who qualified for the 2018 and 2021 Ryder Cups before failing to qualify last year, supported Bradley’s stance.
“I’m excited for him,” DeChambeau said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for him, especially with the younger guys. He’s going to see those young guys and obviously relate to them a lot more because of his age.
“He’s watching the younger generation play. He’s still playing and competing and it’s nice to be able to relate to them to some extent. In terms of picking the best players, that’s the right approach and he couldn’t be happier as captain.”
Sky Sports will be the home of the Ryder Cup, with all three events in 2025 broadcast live exclusively from September 26-28 next year. Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and more on NOW.
