Bradley named surprise 2025 US Ryder Cup captain11th July 2024

Keegan Bradley will captain the United States in the 2025 Ryder Cup against Europe.

The 38-year-old was not the PGA of America’s first choice for the role, but has accepted it after 15-time major champion Tiger Woods turned it down.

“My passion and appreciation for golf’s greatest team event have never been stronger,” said Bradley, who was on the losing side in his two appearances as a player – in 2012 and 2014.

“The Ryder Cup is unlike any other competition in our sport. And this edition will undoubtedly be particularly special given the rich history and enthusiastic spectators at this iconic course.

“I look forward to beginning preparations.”

Europe will again be led by Like Donald after the Englishman orchestrated a 16½-11½ victory in Rome last September.

The 45th edition of the biennial contest will take place at the Bethpage Black course in New York from 25-28 September.

Woods had been a long-time favourite to succeed Zach Johnson and lead the US side as they look to extend their winning run at home to three matches.

But the former world number one, who played on eight Ryder Cup teams, repeatedly delayed his decision.

He said at the US PGA Championship in May that he did not want to “fulfill the role of the captaincy if I can’t do it”, citing his position on the PGA Tour policy board as something that was taking up a lot of his time.

Given the announcement of Bradley as captain, it would appear Woods finally decided he could not dedicate the time to the role that he would want to.

Speculation will now continue to grow that Woods will take charge of the US team for the 2027 event at Adare Manor in Ireland. That will mark the 100th anniversary of the first playing of the Ryder Cup and it is being hosted at a course owned by his friend JP McManus. It will also mark 34 years since the US last won an away match.

Bradley, who won his solitary major at the 2011 US PGA Championship, was on the losing Ryder Cup teams in 2012 – as Europe won the ‘Miracle of Medinah’ – and two years later at Gleneagles in Scotland.

PGA of America president John Lindert, who made the announcement, said: “Keegan’s past Ryder Cup experience, strong relationships and unwavering passion for this event will prove invaluable as he guides the US team over the next year and a half.

“We are confident that with Keegan at the helm, the 2025 US Ryder Cup Team will compete at Bethpage with the same confidence and determination that has defined his career.”