Keegan Bradley on Trump’s Ryder Cup Support & Roasting Rory McIlroy’s Comments | 2025

Keegan Bradley reveals why he declined President Donald Trump’s request to play in the 2025 Ryder Cup and fires back at Rory McIlroy’s criticism. Learn how the U.S. captain prioritized team success over personal ambition and why the debate over playing captains continues. Plus, details on Team USA’s lineup and Trump’s attendance. #KeeganBradley #RyderCup2025 #collegefootball
In this video, we break down:
– Keegan Bradley’s emotional response to Trump’s endorsement
– Why he chose not to play despite being ranked 11th in the U.S. squad
– Bradley’s rebuttal to Rory McIlroy’s claim about the viability of playing captains
– The final Team USA roster for the Sept 26 Ryder Cup showdown
– Historical context of Arnold Palmer’s 1963 playing captain role

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There’s nothing quite like a high-profile endorsement to shake up the world of sports. And Keegan Bradley’s RDER Cup story proved it. When former President Donald Trump publicly encouraged Bradley to appoint himself as Team USA’s playing captain for the upcoming Ryder Cup, it immediately fueled speculation and debate among golf fans and pundits alike. But here’s where it gets controversial. Despite Trump’s backing and his 11th place standing among American golfers, Bradley ultimately chose not to include himself on the 12-man squad. So, who made the cut? Instead of picking himself, Bradley selected Justin Thomas, Colin Moraua, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Canle, and Sam Burns to carry America’s hopes in one of golf’s most prestigious team competitions. If you’re thinking, wouldn’t the president’s endorsement sway anyone? Think again. Bradley revealed his decision had already been made well before Trump’s remarks. Yet, he didn’t hide how much the presidential praise meant to him. “Honestly, it is surreal,” Bradley shared. “Whenever you receive acknowledgement from the president of the United States, it’s both humbling and almost hard to believe. I want to thank you, Mr. President. I hope you won’t be too disappointed.” Bradley also mentioned he’s looking forward to seeing Trump at the Ryder Cup as Trump confirmed he’ll be attending the tournament’s opening day, a return of sorts. Since he previously visited the 2017 President’s Cup, reflecting on the ups and downs that led to this moment, Bradley marveled at how his journey in Gulf had come full circle. Sometimes you just pause to wonder, how did I ever arrive at this point? Getting that kind of recognition was a deep honor. But the conversation didn’t end there. Enter Rory Maroy, an outspoken opponent and one of Europe’s brightest stars who recently claimed that serving as a playing captain just isn’t possible, a position not taken since Arnold Palmer did it back in 1963. Is this just a case of historical precedent holding too much weight? When asked about Mroyy’s remarks and whether he was motivated to prove the naysayers wrong, Bradley took a measured yet pointed approach. “To be honest, I don’t lose sleep over what others say or do,” Bradley responded. “Ultimately, it comes down to focusing on our team. Not sure how Rory can say for certain what’s possible. After all, it’s not like it’s been attempted recently.” He went on to say he’d have loved advice from the legendary Arnold Palmer himself, but acknowledged that the Rder Cup today is a completely different challenge than it was in the 1960s. Even Palmer’s wisdom might only go so far. People can comment all they want about what’s feasible, Bradley continued. For me, if it ever came down to playing, I knew I could rely wholeheartedly on my vice captains and teammates. But I always planned to do what was right for the team, and that led to my final call. And this is the part most people miss. The captain’s role at the RDER Cup has evolved dramatically. It’s now as much leadership and strategy as it is individual performance. This distinction may be why playing captains have become so rare, and it begs the question, should traditions stand in the way of progress, or is it time for a new chapter in Ryder Cup history? This year’s Rder Cup will tee off at Beth Page State Park’s Black Course on September 26th. Joining the roster are automatic qualifiers like Scotty Sheffller, JJ Spawn, Russell Henley, Xander Schaefley, Bryson Dambo, and Harris English. So, what’s your take? Was Bradley right to resist the pressure and focus on his leadership instead of suiting up? Or did he miss a golden opportunity to make history? And do you think Mataloyy’s perspective points to an outdated mindset? Or does tradition still matter most in golf’s greatest team event? Let us know where you stand in the comments and join the conversation.