US Ryder Cup Captain Bradley Nears Historic Self-Selection Decision

Keegan Bradley faces a unique and controversial dilemma as the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup captain: whether to select himself as one of the six wildcard picks for the team. Despite being one of the top American golfers and playing well this season, Bradley's potential role as a player-captain is unprecedented since Arnold Palmer in 1963 and raises concerns about balancing playing and leadership duties. This decision has drawn attention from many quarters, including President Trump, who has publicly urged Bradley to include himself on the team. Critics, including former Solheim Cup captains Stacy Lewis and Angela Stanford, argue that Bradley should either focus solely on playing or solely on captaincy to avoid a lose-lose situation. European captain Luke Donald and others believe that the U.S. team's handling of the captaincy and selection process, including Bradley's unexpected appointment, may boost Europe's chances of winning at Bethpage Black. Bradley's announcement of the picks is highly anticipated, highlighting the chaotic and unconventional nature of his captaincy.