Keegan Bradley’s role on the United States team for the Ryder Cup in September has yet to be decided.
Bradley was named the US captain last year, but that did not lessen his determination to make the team as a player.
The 39-year-old has played well so far this season, finishing in the top 10 at the PGA Championship and winning the Truist Championship.
It now seems inevitable that he will make the 12-man squad to take on Europe, leaving his vice-captains with even more responsibility.
Each will have a different role on the US Ryder Cup team, with one expected to be “the intimidator” at Bethpage.
Photo by David Cannon/Getty ImagesSmylie Kaufman expects Gary Woodland to be ‘the intimidator’ on US Ryder Cup team
The United States have five vice-captains for the 2025 Ryder Cup: Jim Furyk, Kevin Kisner, Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, and Gary Woodland.
PGA Tour winner Smylie Kaufman laid out what each will bring to the table, with an interesting role for recent addition Woodland.
“I don’t know why, maybe it’s because I’m ready for football season, but somebody explained to me how the referees and officials decide who gets what role,” Kaufman explained.
“Like, who gets to wear the white hat, which guy gets to speak… Somebody told me that it’s actually personality-based. I don’t know the other ways they pick the white hat guy who gets to talk, but Jim Furyk would fit that profile of the umpire.
“Just think about it, Webb Simpson is a great dude. He’s a person who could probably go and talk to the guy who has started out the Ryder Cup 0-2 on day one. You put them in a corner with Webb Simpson to get all positive. That’s Webb’s role.
“Gary is the guy who is going to be the intimidator. He’s going to be standing on tee boxes and ready to crush some skulls.
“Kis is going to be drinking beers. And then you have Sneds. He’s going to be walking with whoever Sepp Straka is playing, like a bald negator. So, he’s also going to have his hat off.
“And Jim Furyk is going to be giving speeches. I think what I like, too, is that all of these are still playing on the PGA Tour, besides Jim. The relationships in that room are going to be really solid.”
While Kaufman’s comments were somewhat tongue-in-cheek, he’s right about the vice-captains having a nice mix of different personalities.
Gary Woodland has outside chance to play on US Ryder Cup team
Bradley is not the only member of the US Ryder Cup backroom staff who could potentially play at Bethpage Black in September.
Gary Woodland’s chances are extremely slim, but his runner-up finish at the Houston Open earlier this year at least keeps the door open.
Woodland is not playing at the Scottish Open or the Open Championship, so he only has the 3M Open and Wyndham Championship left before the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
He needs a strong finish or two at those events to ensure his place at the St. Jude Championship, where he can score significant Ryder Cup qualification points.
Given his fierce mentality, Woodland might be of interest as a captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup if he can find form in the coming weeks.
