Question of the week [July 15-21]: What are your thoughts on Keegan Bradley being named the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain?
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I have no problem with the current pick. It's nice to see someone as a surprise pick and not one of the usuals. It’s time for new blood. I think too much is made of the captain, especially since he doesn’t hit a shot.
Our boys just need to play better. Wonder what it would be like if you had no captain and just let the top 12 boys get after it, let them decide who will play with whom and who will sit. We are 13 months away from the Ryder Cup and personally I think we should be spending more time right now talking about the Open, FedEx Cup, Presidents Cup and Olympics. Plenty of time remaining to discuss Ryder Cup.
Wayne Smith
Georgetown, Texas
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I guess this just points out how little the rest of us know about Keegan Bradley. And with respect to the PGA of America decision makers, how in the world did he manage to get to the top of their process? Good luck with that and I sincerely hope it works out for the best.
Peter Croppo
Bayfield, Ontario
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This is a bit surprising. For many years, the captaincy was passed around among that era’s “in crowd,” often to its detriment. In 1995, Larry Nelson was presumed the next captain. He was asked to step aside for Lanny Wadkins and get it in 1997. That one went to Tom Kite. The next one in 1999 to Ben Crenshaw. Never to Nelson.
Those names were the in crowd for that period. In more recent times it was Davis Love III, Fred Couples and others. In last year’s Ryder Cup, Bradley was an obvious captain’s pick, but it went to a struggling Justin Thomas. Thomas is in this current "in crowd," including Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and others.
So for an outsider like Bradley to be named is shocking. If Nelson is still alive and kicking, wouldn’t an honorary co-captaincy be nice.
Vinny Mooney
Poughkeepsie, New York
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I am a big fan of Keegan Bradley, but you could have knocked me over with a feather when this news broke. If the Ryder Cup selection committee just wanted to mix it up and try something different, well, they succeeded. The European teams seem to be exuberantly united in their quests for the Cup and their close comradery aids their on-course performance. I think Keegan will promote an NFL-type of team spirit, and if the U.S. players choose to follow Keegan's lead, good results will follow.
Bob Doughty
Bluffton, South Carolina
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I believe Keegan Bradley brings a fresh and exciting transition to the Ryder Cup. The frat brothers will need to play their way onto the team or be left to watch the event on TV like the rest of us. Indeed, the captain’s picks will be chosen from the best golfers available and not forced upon by the old guard. This might not have been the case had he been chosen for last year's event. The slap on the face by Zach Johnson may actually be a blessing in disguise. I believe we will field the best players available and the coaches will surprise many. Stay tuned. This will be fun.
Paul Vicary
The Villages, Florida
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Naming Keegan Bradley as Ryder Cup Captain would openly acknowledge how badly Bradley got screwed by Zach Johnson in the 2023 team selection process.
Bill Ramsey
Grand Haven, Michigan
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Break up the old boys club. Put some fire into the U.S. side.
Dale Claussen
Edwardsville, illinois
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I like it, but had it not been for Netflix’s firsthand coverage of Keegan Bradley’s slight by Zach Johnson and Tiger Woods dragging his feet — and PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh leaving — I’m not sure this was the first choice. It’s a brave choice.
The way they went about it — even surprising Captain Bradley — may come to haunt the PGA board, but I’m all in and believe that his passion can bring a must-see setting and a U.S. victory at Bethpage.
Steve Moore
Birmingham, Alabama
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I really don’t see what the big brouhaha is over the Ryder Cup Captain. Why is this such a big deal? No one really lists everything that they do or have to do. The players play. If they don’t play well, which they haven’t, they lose. I just don’t see what a captain does to help the team win. Perhaps the matchups they put together help in the long run. The players have to play well really no matter what.
Steve Pratt
Ardmore, Pennsylvania
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I think the decision makers at the PGA of America ate too many gummies. Nothing against Keegan Bradley, but Fred Couples is the no-brainer. Tons of team-leading experience. Well known and loved by the players. Keegan? Not so much.
Jeff McCrory
Atlanta, Georgia
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I like Keegan Bradley as the Ryder Cup Captain pick. I think both the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup teams need to get out of the “good ol’ boy” network and re-energize themselves with captain talent that is more contemporary with today’s best players.
Plus some of today’s team players are not the players they were in building some of these teams five and six years ago. I think Keegan sees this and will make changes along the way with new, fresh faces. It’s easy to criticize captains who lose, but they don’t hit a shot.
So good luck to Keegan and the U.S. team. I’ll be watching and pulling for them every step along the way.
Barry Duckworth
Knoxville, Tennessee
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Great pick for all the right reasons — East Coast guy, knows Bethpage Black, younger and an intelligent, well-respected competitor. Should put an end to the same old guys playing and getting the same old results.
Richard J. Skrodzki
Burr Ridge, Illinois
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While I have never been a fan of Keegan Bradley, I am looking forward to him being Ryder Cup Captain provided the stench of the boy's club is fumigated.
Chris Ferrara
Jeannette, Pennsylvania
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Keegan Bradley should be OK as the captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team. I’d imagine he'll remember his being snubbed at the last one and only pick those most deserving to play on the team. The USA will have a formidable European team to beat, if it wants to bring the Cup back.
Larry Ashe
Chicago, Illinois
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Clearly there was no Plan B after Tiger Woods declined to captain the U.S. team. Beyond that, how does a player who admittedly is an “outsider" lead? Will players who are not close to him respond to his leadership and passionate style? That is my biggest question/concern about Keegan Bradley. We saw the same thing/problem with Nick Faldo and his failed captaincy.
On a more positive note, Bradley is highly patriotic, loves the Ryder Cup and his extreme passion perfectly suits the New York market and fans (for when the Ryder Cup is held at Bethpage Black in 2025). The media will love Bradley and his intensity, so he is a great fit for the PGA and this event. For one week, New York golf fans will choose to forget Bradley really comes from the hated Boston area. His St. John's University roots will allow Bradley to claim (sheepishly) some connection to New York State when, in fact, he is a die-hard New Englander through and through. Assuming America wins on home soil, this surprise selection will be viewed kindly by history as a bold and brave choice. Just win, baby.
Reid Farrill
Toronto, Ontario
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At first, I was surprised by the pick and then I got to thinking about a few of the intangibles and they are: 1, he has probably played the course more than any other Tour players and knows the changes that need to be done to the course to help the team; 2, since he has played the course so many times he will know all of the quirks of the course and can pass them to the players; 3, he is from New England and played collegiately at St. John’s University, and knows what will help motivate the fans; 4, he has a lot of spunk and spirit.
Al Vaughn
Charlotte, North Carolina
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Front photo: Keegan Bradley during the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Pedro Salado / Golffile