Bradley Weighs Playing Captain Role for Ryder Cup

Keegan Bradley, the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup captain, is in strong form after winning the Travelers Championship and finishing in the top 10 at the Open Championship, making him a contender to serve as a rare playing captain. Bradley currently ranks ninth in U.S. Ryder Cup qualification, with the top six securing automatic spots, and could still qualify directly with continued good results. He has expressed discomfort with the prospect of selecting himself as a wildcard but remains focused on performance and team needs. Tiger Woods, who declined the 2025 captaincy, has advised Bradley based on his own experience as a playing captain in the Presidents Cup. The last Ryder Cup playing captain was Arnold Palmer in 1963, highlighting the historic nature of Bradley’s situation. The final decision will be closely watched as the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black approaches.