LIVE | Ryder Cup USA Captain’s Picks | 2025 Ryder Cup

Watch Keegan Bradley make his picks live, ahead of the 2025 Ryder Cup from Bethpage Black.

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Every two years, 24 of the best players from Europe and the United States go head-to-head in match play competition. The European Team are the reigning champions after winning at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in 2023. Drama, tension, incredible golf, camaraderie and sportsmanship are served in equal measure, captivating an audience of millions around the world. It’s an event that transcends sport, yet remains true to the spirit of its founder, Samuel Ryder. The 2025 Ryder Cup is set to take place at Bethpage Black in New York.

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of the Ryder Cup will take place just 30 days from now at Beth Page Black in Farmingdale, New York. 10 days ago, six players qualified and earned their spot on the US team based on a point system. Today, US Rder Cup captain Keegan Bradley will name six additional players who will join those automatic qualifiers and complete his 12 member team. Keegan, welcome to PGA Frisco. It was just a little over a year ago when you were named captain in New York City and since then you have competed at a very very high level. Six top 10 finishes, a victory at the Travelers Championship and you are ranked number 11 in the world. Can you try to put into words and explain what this journey has been like for you? It’s uh been the most incredible year of my life, honestly. Um my favorite year as a professional. Um we went through so much in this past year, but the thing that I cherish the most is the support that I got from the fans and uh the people at golf tournaments, at gas stations, at restaurants, um cheering me on. Uh for whatever reason, I never I never thought of that when I was named captain. And that was the biggest surprise and something that I’ll remember the rest of my life. I know you’re thrilled about the six qualifiers that we see in the bags up there. What specifically do you like about each one of them? Beginning with Scotty. Yeah. So, Scotty, um, you know, there’s so much to say about Scotty Sheffler. He he had 37,000 points, 10% of the points given uh, to our RDER Cup team. He’s a natural-born leader. Um, but more importantly, I’m more impressed with the person that he is uh, than the player. And he’s a pretty incredible player. So, um, great asset to have in our team and, um, you know, really proud of the way he stepped up and has been a leader of this team. JJ Spawn, JJ Span is one of the most likable, genuine people that that I’ve ever met. Uh, a guy that burst onto the scene this season with five top three finishes. Only person with more, Scotty Sheffler. Uh, his amazing performance at the players in Memphis. Uh and then obviously his his win at the US Open making a 64 foot putt on 18 to to to win. Um just a really great uh guy to have in our team room. Xander Schoffley. Xander is one of the most humble, mentally tough golfers that I’ve ever come across. Um he’s universally loved across the world of golf, but especially in our team room. Um he’s the third ranked player in the world and he’s our glue guy. Um, he does everything that we ask him to do. He’s a leader. Um, but more importantly, he’s just a really great guy. Russell Henley. Russell’s one of my one of my favorite people. Um, he’s, you know, on the surface, he’s the this nice, fun guy, but on the golf course, he’s super competitive. Um, gutsy player. Uh, obviously he had that amazing come comeback win at uh, Bay Hill. Um, and he’s the fourth ranked player in the world. I played with him last Sunday and every time I go out with him, I’m more and more impressed with this game. Harris English. Harris English uh put in a lot of hard work to get back to this spot after after an injury. Um you know, somebody that is such an asset for our team. He won at the Farmers this year. He’s finished second in two majors. Um he’s so tough mentally and he plays really well on tough golf courses which will suit us well at Beth Page. And Bryson Dshambo. Lot to say about Bryson. One of the most incredible things is he qualified for this team off of eight starts, which is um you know, unheard of. Um but what I’m most impressed about Bryson is the effort that he’s made to be a part of this team. He’s had to travel, go out of his way to meet us in our places and um he’s gone above and beyond what we would ever ask of a player. And that’s that’s the thing I’m most proud of. You can go on and on about what an incredible player he is and and golfer, but what he’s done for this team and put in the extra effort is uh was is it amazing to see. Keegan, the the time has come right now. Let’s go ahead and break this down and learn why you selected the players you did. Tell us, please, who your first captain’s pick is. So, our first captain’s pick is Justin Thomas. Um he’s the heartbeat of our team. Justin is the heartbeat of our team. He had an amazing win at RBC this year. He’s the fifth ranked player in the world. This guy was born to play Ryder Cups and and uh specifically I think at Beth Paige Black. Thanks very much, Keegan. Let’s see if our two-time PGA champion can hear us. Yes, I can. Lovely. Uh, congratulations, Justin, on making your fourth US RDER Cup team, the most of any player on the 2025 squad. As such, you are the senior veteran on this team. What would you tell the rookies on your team on what to expect or how to prepare for a Ryder Cup when they play on the biggest stage possibly that we’ve ever seen? Yeah, that is pretty bizarre to hear first off, but um no, I I think that’s what’s what, you know, captain’s done a great job of of of choosing the team and and also who’s qualified is um you know, everybody is here for a reason and um you know, I would tell anybody to just be themselves, especially the guys that that have rounded out this team and they’re have either qualified or are being picked for a reason and um to just be ready uh when we get there and enjoy it because it’s going going to be uh a pretty crazy wild week. Justin, you played in six consecutive team competitions before missing out on the President’s Cup last year. Really pretty impressive streak. Help us understand what specifically it is about team competitions that you missed so much or that you love so much. Uh I mean I would go first to what I love so much about him. I mean, I um you know, what what happened last year was what is what it is. I mean, it um it’s it’s a very very deep competition that the US is is trying to compete against and play for to qualify for these team events every year. And um I just I really enjoy them. I mean, I I think they I I’ve I’ve developed some unbelievable friendships uh you know, in these events. These are guys that we obviously are all very friendly and cordial and see each other all the time, but it’s just a totally different vibe when you’re there. you know, you’re battling for each other, playing for each other, not just for yourself. Um, and I, you know, it’s an opportunity to get to know them, their wives, families, whatever it may be. And, uh, it’s just, it’s, it’s probably a good thing that these these events happen every so often because they do make them that much more special. Thank you very much, Justin. And please don’t go too far. Keegan, who is your second captain’s pick? Second captain’s pick is Colin Marawa. Um, Colin is a one of the most genuine, thoughtful people that I’ve ever met. He’s an incredible teammate, incredible ball striker. You know, his his golf resume speaks for itself, but more importantly, he’ll do whatever it takes to to help our team win, and he brings so much to our team and really proud to have him. Very good. Let’s see if our twotime major champion Colin Morawa can hear us and tell us what he’s hiding behind him. I can hear you. No, there’s nothing back there. I haven’t finished my office, so it’s a blank wall. Colin, welcome to your third United States Rder Cup team. You are 43 and one in eight Ryder Cup matches, including 30 and one on home soil. Does this mean that when you tee it up in New York that there is less pressure on you to win or more pressure on you because you’re expected to win? I’m going to change that question a little bit. I’d say there’s definitely not less pressure. There’s always more pressure and that’s what we encompass every day as a professional athlete and as a team when we show up at Beth Page. But with that, we always talk about pressure being a privilege, and I think all 12 of us are going to be ready to step on that tea, and it’s how we take that into our hands and look at pressure as something that we can overcome, and we’re going to use that as a positive um in our way. And obviously being at home is going to be as helpful as you could ask um in any setting. Colin, you played in two Ryder Cups. one where the US dominated at whistling straits, the other where Europe was convincingly uh victorious in Rome. What are some of the takeaways you’ve learned that can help you prepare for Beth Paige there? I think at the end of the day, you have to play great golf. You know, all 12 of us are going to be very close. We know what we’re going to have to do. We know how how we’re going to have to play in in partnerships and in matches, but no matter what happens away from the golf course, on the golf course, you have to hit great shots and you have to make putts and you have to use everyone around you in that same fashion. And uh if I compare the two, you know, one dominant win and one pretty beat down loss, uh comes down to, you know, who made the putts and who hit who essentially won the point at the end of the day. It didn’t matter if you played great or played poorly. How do you walk away with that point in that match? And uh that’s the focus in those few hours when you’re out there. Thank you very much, Colin. Stay with us again, please. Keegan, who was your third captain’s pick? Our third captain’s pick is Ben Griffin. Um he’s Ben is an extremely confident, excited player. Uh he’s burst onto the scene this year with 10 top 10s, only second to Scotty on our team, including two wins. Uh one at Colonial and one at Zurich, which with plays the same format as the RDER Cup. I’m really proud of this this player for making this team. He had to show all year that he was uh playing at this level and he was consistent the entire year and we’re really lucky to have him on this team. Thanks, Keegan. Ben, congratulations on making your very first Rder Cup team. You’ve had a remarkable journey in golf over the last four years and now you’ll be playing for your country at Beth Page next month. Could you have ever envisioned yourself in this position four years ago? Um yeah, I don’t think so. Um, you know, going from a desk job to making a way my way back to the PJ tour. It’s been uh an incredible journey and and this year um you know, it’s been kind of a breakthrough year for me and um I’ve just been working really hard and and believing in myself and I’m just really excited to be a part of this team and appreciate the belief not only from Keegan but also from um rest of the captains and other players that also believe in me and uh I’m ready to work hard and and fight for a lot of points at uh at Beth Page. Speaking of your captain, how does it make you feel when Keegan showers you with accolades? And can you take us behind the curtain and tell us what it was like to get a phone call from the captain? Yeah, I mean, it’s like it’s the biggest honor of all time to to be on on a Ryder Cup team and represent the United States. But that that phone call, it could have easily gone either way for me. And um you know, Keegan kind of voiced to me early on that that you know, there’s good phone calls and bad phone calls and you’ve got to go out there and leave no doubt. And so really proud of the way I fought kind of at the end of the year and had some top finishes and and left no doubt to him. And yeah, that phone call there was a lot of emotions, a lot of anxiety kind of going into that phone call. Um just not knowing um what was going to happen and um just really excited to have the belief of all my teammates and captains to to be on this team and to go out there and try to earn as many as we can. Thanks. And congratulations, Ben. Keegan, who is your fourth captain’s pick? Our fourth captain’s pick is Cameron Young. Cam has been one of the most consistent players on the tour the last four or five years. Um he he broke through with that amazing win at the Windham championship that he’s been fighting so hard for. Watching him on Sunday with that big lead play like that was incredible. Um Cameron’s a New Yorker. He won the New York State Open at Beth Page Black as an amateur. Uh set the course record that day on Sunday with 64. Um Cameron pounds the golf ball and he’s putting it as good as he’s ever putt it in his career. He’s had nine top 12 finishes. Shows you how consistent he’s been. Um you know, we’re we’re very proud to have a New Yorker on our team and represent his country at Beth Page Black. Cameron, welcome to your first RDER Cup team. So, as we heard, you were raised in New York and played golf at Sleepy Hollow in Westchester County, where your father, David, was a PG of America golf professional for 22 years. Is it possible that you might get a louder ovation than Captain Bradley when you actually walk out to the first te at Beth Page? I don’t I don’t know about that, but yeah, we we certainly should have some some solid support up there. Um, you know, obviously playing playing for your country is very special and for me, you know, the US is home, but New York is is really home for me. So, going back up there to to somewhere that I love, um, you know, I I can’t wait to to get up there, and I don’t know about a louder ovation than our than our captain, but hopefully I’ve got some support out there. Who’s more excited or proud of your spot on this team, you or your dad? Oh, man. Um I I mean it’d be hard to pick one. I I think you know he puts in just as many hours to my golf as I do. Uh he’s he’s with me every step of the way and with his connection both to the area up there and through the PGA of America. You know, this is something that has been on both of our radars for a long time and and to to get the opportunity to to represent my country and you know, playing a Ryder Cup is something that both of us have dreamed of for so long. So, I think it’s it’s hard to even put into words what it means to both of us and you know, we’re both certainly very excited. Well, real quick here, Cam, you said that one of your goals this year was to make the Rder Cup team and if you did, it would be more to you than winning a golf tournament. Why was it so important for you to make this team? And do any of your team members know that you were on the winning 2014 US Junior Ryder Cup team in Scotland? Yeah, I think one of them might remember in particular. I know Sam was on that team with me. So, um, yeah, that’s a fun memory to share. But, yeah, this year, I mean, making any one of these teams is is such a mark of achievement that it’s it’s a goal when you set out the year. But to me, you know, this Rder Cup in particular in New York at Beth Page is is so special to me. And um you know I’ve been I’ve been picturing the moment that you know I could possibly get a call to play on the team for a very very long time. So um yeah and in regards to it being more important than the win you know it’s such an overarching goal to make these teams and you know that win was a step along the way. So, um, you know, winning a golf tournament on the PJ tour has always been a goal, but, uh, at the end of the day, you know, making this team is incredibly important and, um, that was, you know, one of the later steps along the way to to giving myself a chance to do that and having the opportunity to be a captain’s pick. Congratulations, Cameron. Keegan, who is your fifth captain’s pick? Our fifth captain’s pick is Patrick Kentlay. [Applause] One of the greatest pleasures these last couple years of being the RDER Cup captain is getting to know Patrick better. Um, he’s got a 156 and1 record in team events. He’s a leader of our team. When he speaks, people listen. Quite simply, Patrick was born for the RDER Cup. Um, this is where he thrives. This is where we need him. So he’s uh an integral part of our team and a leader and someone we’re going to rely on heavily at at Beth Page. Patrick, welcome to your third United States Rder Cup team. You are 156 and one in team competitions in your career, including a staggering 50 and0 in singles. Your high school coach said you were a natural team leader and your captain has said, “When you speak, people listen.” when you hear these things, what goes through your mind? Yeah. Well, first of all, I just have to say what a honor and a privilege it is to be uh picked for the for the team. I I have to say these team events over the last 5 years um you know, a lot of them are some of my best memories that I have playing golf really in my whole life. And just the first team event I played in the um the President’s Cup in Australia, you know, is where I I started to become friends with Xander. And I feel like not only my relationship with Xander, but a number of the other a number of the other players on the on the US side has really grown as I’ve been able to share these experiences with them every year on the team events. And so these team events just just mean everything to me. And um you know some of my my favorite part of the year is going out and trying to put points up on the board for my teammates. Patrick, what is it about Keegan’s captaincy that has impressed you and your teammates so much? Yeah, I would say number one is is just his passion. um it’s palpable and I think everyone that’s been involved in this process can tell um how dedicated he is to doing everything possible to put us in the position to uh compete and to give us the best chance at winning. And I feel like when someone has that obvious dedication and passion, it’s a lot easier to buy in and fight alongside with him uh for our common goal. And so, you know, I just have a lot of admiration for the way Keegan’s gone about it and um will do anything I possibly can to to help him and help us uh succeed. Thank you very much, Patrick. Keegan, who is your sixth and final captain’s pick? So, our last captain’s pick is Sam Burns. Samon is an incredibly passionate uh golfer. Um he’s the best putter on the planet. He has won the match play championship. He has an extreme competitive fire in his belly. Um I have a lot of respect for Sam and the way that he came on at the end of the season to make this team. uh his back was against the wall and he played well every week to end the season and that’s I’ve been in that position and that’s some of the the hardest times to play good golf is trying to make these RDER Cup teams and Sam did that. Um we love to have Sam on our side with that putter at Beth Page. Uh I can’t wait to see him out there in front of those fans. Um plays with his heart on his sleeve and people at Beth Page are going to love that. Congratulations Sam. You two mentioned that making this RDER Cup team was one of your goals this year. Now that it has happened, what are your emotions and what was it like for you to get the call from Keegan? Yeah, I think you know being on on these teams, it’s one of the highest honors you can achieve um in this sport and I think kind of to Pat’s point, it’s been it’s been really, you know, very cool to watch Keegan go about this process and the way he’s handled it. Um, it’s been really special to watch and I’m just I’m so privileged and honored to be a part of this team. This will be your second RDER Cup team, Sam, but your first playing a home game. What are you looking forward to the most at Beth Page? Yeah, it’s going to be an incredible week. I know that we’re going to have tons of support out there um at Beth Page and, you know, these fans are special and they and they love um you know, getting behind their their teams and their um country. And so I know, you know, us going out there and having that support will kind of spur us on and hopefully we can um rally behind that energy and uh use it to our advantage. Thank you very much, Sam. Um ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to take some questions from the floor here at the home of the PG of America and go to the Zoom calls as well. If you have a question, please raise your virtual hand um if you are on a Zoom call. And if you’re at the home of the PG of America, raise your hand. get somebody’s attention. We are going to start real quick first on a Zoom call. We have Shane Ryan. Shane, go ahead. Uh, hi. Thank you, Julius. Um, Keegan, this question is for you. There were reports over the last couple days that you were going to pick yourself. Obviously, those were not true, but that was the big drama coming in. So, I’m wondering if you could describe how close you were to picking yourself and what the last 48 hours were like. Uh so I I I was the decision was made a while ago that I I wasn’t playing. Um the last 48 hours we we had the team set. We weren’t uh scrambling at all. Um this was a really tough decision. I would say there was a point uh this year where I was playing uh a while ago and you know all these guys stepped up in a major way and played their way onto this team and that’s something that I’m really proud of and something that I really wanted um but it was a extremely difficult decision and um you know but one that I’m really happy with. I’m really happy with these six players and um I’m glad it’s over. And Keegan, a very quick followup if I could. I wonder if you’d agree with the statement that if the US captain was anyone other than Keegan Bradley, Keegan Bradley would be playing on this team. Um you know, I how we how are we ever going to know that because I am the captain? But uh um the the I I grew up wanting to play RDER Cups. I grew up wanting to to be fight alongside these guys and broke my heart not to play. Really did because um you know I you work forever to to make these teams but ultimately I was chosen to do a job. I was chosen to be the captain of this team. And my ultimate goal to start this whole thing was to be the best captain that I could be. And this is how I felt like I could do this. If if if we got to this point and I felt like, you know, the team was better with me with me on it, I was going to do that. I was going to do whatever I thought was best for this team. And I know 100% certain that this is the right choice and these six guys again played so incredibly coming down the stretch here and made my decision a lot easier. Thanks Ryan or Shane. I think next on the phone we have Ryan Morick from Fox. Hey guys, Keegan for you. Um, did Rory’s comments a little while ago about how it’s pretty much impossible to be a playing captain, did I kind of want you to prove him wrong in a way? I I just am not worried at all about what they do or say. I care about our team. Um, not quite sure how he would know if it’s not possible. No one’s ever done it really. So, um, I mean, I I sit through this process. I wish I could call on Palmer and and get his advice. The the simple fact is the Ryder Cup is a completely different animal than it was in in the 60s. So even that would be difficult, but um you know they they can make comments on what I can and cannot do. No one would have known. Um I was confident that if I did need to play, I had incredible vice captains that I could lean on. I had an incredible team that I could lean on. But, you know, I said through this process over and over and over, I was going to do what I thought was best for the team and this is this was the decision that that I thought was best. We’re going to come back to the PGA of America and look for some questions. Please let us know who you are and where you’re from, please. Hi, Julie Fine, Bloomberg News. Nice to meet you. Right now, when you look at golf, it’s growing exponentially. When you look at the 18 to 34, women’s golf is growing exponentially. Going to Beth Paige now. How do you capitalize on this moment? Well, um I think that Beth Pa the Ryder Cup at Beth Page is going to sort of transcend the golf world. I think it’s going to be become an iconic North American sporting event. And you know, anytime you play for your country in New York, it’s extra special. But especially at a place like Beth Page Black, that’s that’s a public golf course that the local people play that is affordable. Um we have an extreme obligation to defend their course. And I think this is a great opportunity to grow the game. I think that’ll happen naturally with how great this event will be. Seeing no other questions. Uh we do have another one. Yes, Joe Tran, WFAA TV. Um this question is about Scotty Sheffler having the world number one as an anchor for the team, especially given how well he played the last time that the cup was on American soil. How much does that give you a little bit of comfort as the captain, Keegan? Yeah, it’s it’s incredible. Scotty. Um, what’s interesting about Scotty is is how just how dominant and fiercely competitive he is on the golf course, but you leave you get him outside the ropes and he’s totally normal, humble, one of the most humble people you’ll ever meet. And, you know, he’s he’s taken an active role of helping the younger guys and being there for them. Um, you know, having them ask questions. and he makes our our jobs as captains a lot easier because we we have, you know, the best player in the world that’s also super humble, down to earth, that’s looking to help our guys and um that’s a big asset to have. Got another question at the PGA. Keegan Brad Towns and Dallas Morning News. Pardon the uh the local question, but uh having this announcement here and having three RDER Cup captains who are from here is kind of a big deal. I was wondering what uh your impressions are of being here. And have you had a chance to see the place or you just been strictly business? Well, I’m I’m really grateful for the captains to come and support me here. Meant a lot. I I really, you know, I looked up to all these guys. Um their RDER Cup records are incredible. Um, I really appreciate the history of the game and what they’ve done for me and what they’ve done for my career and my family. So, I I genuinely touches me that they that they came. So, thank you. Um, the facility here is stunning. I I been blown away with everywhere I’ve gone, the PGA uh facility, the hotel, the courses. It’s uh it’s really it’s it’s it’s amazing. Um, I I it blew everything away that I thought it was going to be. still at the PGA. Yeah, Kyle Porter, normal sport. Um, can we ask the players something or are they just hanging out over there? Kyle, feel free. Uh, this is uh specifically, I guess, for well, for anybody, but maybe JT can can take it. Um, JT, how it would have been easy for Keegan to to pick himself and put himself on this team. How galvanizing is it for the captain to kind of be selfless and say, “Hey, I trust you guys. you guys go go win the writer co. Appreciate you putting that question on me, Kyle. It’s very nice of you. But um no, I mean Keegan said it perfectly. It’s it’s it’s going to be said so many times between now and the end of the Ryder Cup that Keegan he he he he did and will continue to do whatever he feels like it’s best for the team. Um and and that’s what he did. I mean, it’s uh it’s it’s been really really cool process to be a part of um you know, as a player and and everybody does it so differently and every captain is so great for different ways, but just the communication and how transparent Keegan has been. Um I mean, I don’t want to speak for everybody, but I would say is is isn’t something that we have experienced before. I mean, I would say he probably there were guys that heard things that they wouldn’t be expecting to hear. uh brutally honest if you will, but it’s like that I mean he’s he said it himself. He’s been in those shoes of of being in the dark and not knowing where you are. And I think that’s just h how he’s kind of approached this entire captaincy is he he wants to do whatever is best for the team. He wants to communicate everything as well as he possibly can. And I I know it’s it’s he’s gutted and I think all of us are gutted for him. But at the same time, I would say him leading us to a victory would be cooler than any experience he could have um as a player and that’s probably what he feels like is best for us and so we have all the faith in the world and and we don’t doubt him for one second for that. Still at the home of the PGA, Tim Matthews with Gall Talk America. This is for Sam Burns. Sam, you weren’t in the top 12 as far as points go. So, how worried were you that you would leapfrog some other guys to make the team? And how recently have you found out did you find out that you’re on the team? Yeah, I think um for me at the end of the day, you know, I just tried to focus on what I could control um and that was trying to play the best golf I could at the end of the year. I think, you know, that’s there’s a lot of things that happen that um, you know, you don’t have control over and ultimately, you know, I knew that I needed to go out and play good, solid golf to end the year. And, um, Keegan and I had, you know, a lot of conversations throughout the year. And, um, I think he really did a great job of communicating um, you know, kind of what he wanted to see from me. Um, and I I just tried to go out and focus on playing well. And I think, you know, at the end of the day, um, every single year there’s tough decisions made and there’s tough phone calls and there’s, um, you know, guys that you can argue should be on the team, shouldn’t be on the team. And, um, ultimately, like Justin said, and every player on this team fully has belief in Keegan and, um, him leading this team and him making the decisions that he thinks are best for us, um, to go win. Still at the home. Yes. All right. Hugh Kellenberger with the Athletic. This question is for Ben. I was just curious like this time a year ago, how many of these guys’ numbers did you have and what has this process been like where all of a sudden you’re part of this team? Yeah, I mean um fortunately I’ve known a good chunk of the team since junior golf. So I mean just on the screen here, Cameron Young, Col Marava, Sam Burns, I mean I have their numbers just because we grew up competing against each other. Um you know whether it was Windom Cups on the AJ or AJ events. So, um, you know, I did know a decent amount of these guys, but now I know the bond’s going to get even closer, and I’m really, really excited to get closer with a lot of the guys on the team and build friendships and and work towards a common goal. It’s going to be really exciting. But, yeah, going back a year ago, I mean, you know, Ryder Cup wasn’t necessarily on my radar. My my my radar was more of I need to get over the hump and win on the PGA Tour and and kind of tackle one thing at a time. And um you know ultimately this summer it’s just kind of led to where I felt like I’m I was one of the best golfers in the world and was competing and and playing well in majors and in big moments and so um just really excited to have the belief from from everyone and especially from Keegan that um I’m a part of this team and I’m excited to go showcase my talents. Very good. We’re going to go back to some Zoom calls. And speaking of New York, uh Ann Lori, what’s your question? Hey, can you hear me? Okay, loud and clear. Keegan, uh, we’re also very excited for you, for the American players, and and for Beth Paige. And how do you feel about the fact that your decision to play or not to play created such an immense amount of talk and speculation, more than any other Rder Cup that I can remember? Yeah, it’s really strange. This uh this whole year has been really strange to be honest. I uh I I’ve been really surprised at the attention that this has gotten. I I understand the weight and the the history and um all that comes with it, but I was really focused on being the captain the whole year. Um I never really considered playing until after Travelers. Uh then then that that was really on the table for a while, but I really I really was interested in being the best captain that I could be. Uh, and you know, ultimately I felt like I was really comfortable with the guys, right? Like extremely comfortable and that I feel like I could best serve the team this way. I I don’t care on if I play don’t play as long as we win on Sunday. I I don’t there’s no outcome that I that’s the only thing I care about. So, um, this is the decision that we made. And it’s strange that it got so much um hype, but I don’t know. The Ryder Cup’s a big deal apparently. Thank you. And uh next up, Jeff Shane. Two years ago, you took a very uh disheartening phone call uh from the RDER Cup captain. This year, you had to make that phone call. What was that like? What was necessarily going through your mind as you began to pick up the phone to make those uh calls that they weren’t on the team? Yeah. I mean, I just kept imagining uh what it was like when I got those calls. Like when you look at your phone and you see the captain calling you and you don’t know what’s on the other end and um I realized that I was going to ruin the dreams of a couple couple guys here and uh broke my heart. It still does. Uh, you know, I’m in a unique position where, you know, I’m calling guys that I might see at the golf course the next day. You know, a lot of the times the captains will make the call and they may not see these guys again. Um, you know, I’ll be around them for for years to come hopefully. Um, but I, you know, the way I liked the calls to go was short, sweet, to the point, and uh that’s that was the game plan that I had. But it it was really tough. It was the toughest day of my captaincy for sure. And if I’m Did we lose you, Jeff? For a followup. Yes. Um I I was just going to ask uh reading between the lines, were you making those calls earlier in the process or did you wait until the very end? No, we we waited till um after the tour championship. That’s normally when it when it happens. Um, and uh, but we had a we had a good idea of how the direction we were going and you know, all the guys that we really had our eyes on played exceptionally great in in the playoffs and that made a lot of the choices a lot easier. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Jeff. Uh, Mark Kenazero, can you hear us? I can hear you. Can you hear me? Okay, beautiful. Ke, this is for Keegan. Uh Keegan, for yourself personally, can you describe the degree of difficulty emotionally 2023 getting the call, being told you weren’t on the team, and and now making the call yourself for you not to be on this team? Wh which was more difficult in your mind? Oh, calling the players and telling them they’re not on the team was was way more difficult. Uh because I just know I know these guys really well. Um, and I know how much it means to them and I know there was a couple guys that I had to call that were on the team in in Rome that when you know I’ve been on these losing teams and you just desperately want to get back and get another shot at it and um it was it was really difficult but I again I I kept reminding myself of how I like the calls to go and you also as a player have a pretty good idea of is this call going to go well? is probably not going to go or it’s medium and you know for for a lot of the every single guy I called was so um great and really it was really um great to hear because you know I’ve only been experienced my calls I’m I’m pissed and uh these guys were really friendly and really really caring and um meant a lot to me. I I if I could just follow up, Keegan, I actually meant how the difficulty of getting that call yourself to know you’re not on that team going to Rome and then you yourself so to speak making making the call for yourself not being on this team knowing how badly you want to play and the next time next time it comes around you’ll be 41 years old, you know, who knows what happens there. Yeah, I had a I Monday was tough for me. I I was just alongside the guys that didn’t make the team. I was moping around. I was bummed out. But quickly you realize what a dream it is to be a Rder Cup captain and what a dream it is to be a Ryder Cup captain for these 12 guys that I know that I know so well and a Ryder Cup captain at Beth Page Black where I showed up to St. John’s as an 18-year-old kid, you know, with a dream of playing in the PJ tour and, you know, never dreaming of being a Ryder Cup captain. And I get to return to that same course as the captain of these guys representing our country. And that’s most important. Uh again, I don’t care the how it works out as long as we win on Sunday. And um you know, I’m incredibly honored to be the RDER Cup captain and you know, I think it’s it’s it’s part of it’s been a relief. I get to focus on this and um cheer these guys on for the next month or so. Thanks. Thank you, Mark. Alex Meelli, welcome to PJ Frisco. Thanks, Julius. Uh, Keegan, the question is about the format. It’s forsomes and fourball both on Friday and Saturday. Just wondering what your thoughts were on keeping it that way, which was exactly what it was like in Rome. Yeah. So, you know, you look at the data, you look at your team, and you look at, you know, that getting off to a good start is really important. And and most home teams do alternate shot first. Uh much tougher format. Uh but you know we we got together with you know the vice captains and and our scouts our analytical team and you you look at all the data all the stats from the previous home aways what the home team did what you know this team did when they won and and you you run a million different scenarios and and you know ultimately it was actually a pretty easy decision. This is what we came up with. And just to follow up on the fact that you didn’t pick yourself, is there any scenario that you could think of over the last month that would have changed your mind? Uh yeah. Yeah. I mean, if if the if I felt like I I needed to play on this team to help the team win, I would have. Um, and you know, I I it was really it was really inspiring to see how well these guys played coming down the stretch because again, I’ve been in this situation where you’re on the bubble of these teams and it’s it’s like you’re playing Q school every round and when Qchool is there’s no fun involved when you play these rounds and I’ve been in that position and it’s horrible and you wake up every day on a on a Friday morning and you know like this is a really important round. I have to show the captain and these these six here basically did that, you know, for months and they played some of their best golf they’ve had in their careers and that that shows you a lot and um something that I was extremely proud of. I I one of the great joys I’ve had this year is when I look up at the leaderboard and I’m just seeing American names and I’m not looking for my name, looking for these guys’ names and you don’t have to look very far from the top for most of these guys. So that was a real fun thing for me to do and seemed like every week that I looked for these guys, they were right there. So really proud of them because I know how tough that is. Thank you. Thanks, Alex. Up next, Adam Shupac. Hello, Adam. Keegan, um you mentioned that one point you were thinking you were on the team after Travelers that you would pick yourself. When when did that flip? We were considering uh playing on the team. I was never 100%. Um I think again I know not to repeat myself but when to see how well all these guys played, you know, they they most all of them finished in the top 10 at Atlanta throughout the playoffs. Um again, and we’re they’re playing RDER Cup pressure. were also playing under extreme FedEx Cup pressure and you know uh a lot on the line in these events and you know they performed every week not some weeks every week and uh that was really important in our decision. What was the toughest decision for you? Was it on yourself or someone else you had to leave off the team? I think I think I I can’t point to one specific tough decision. I mean certainly me you know thinking about what I was going to do but I I we were all on the same page. you know, the tough the tough decisions were, you know, the guys that we left off the team because I know how hard that they wanted they hard they worked to be on this team and how much they wanted to be on this team. So, you know, you you look at these guys and you you feel for them because they’re fighting so hard and you know, those are really tough decisions. Thank you, Adam. Greg Robertson, you’re up next. Keegan, I’d like to ask you specifically about uh Maverick McNeely. How difficult it was to leave him off. I know you got to play with him a few times recently and he’s one of the most phenomenal putters on tour. How how difficult was that decision and what was that phone call like? Very very difficult call to call Mav. Um incredible kid. Uh you know, played well all year long. Um, you I was very upfront with with the, you know, the guys that haven’t made the team before. You know, you really have to in most cases make the team on points in your first team. It’s really difficult to to get a pick in your in your first uh team event. Made that very clear to him and he still played great. I played with him a bunch of times this year. I’m really impressed with his game. And I told him it’s okay to be angry. I I I left these calls really angry most times and you know, you you can use this as fuel. I I said to you be please be angry with me and make the next team make make Brand’s President’s Cup team. And uh you know I I used that as fuel most of my career and I I advised Mav to do the same thing because um he made a great run at making this team and um ultimately that was a really tough decision. Thank you. Let’s go to Long Island and hear from Kevin Mayor please. Kevin, congratulations everyone. Look forward to having you on Long Island. A question for Cam. Cam, what is it about Beth Paige Black that suits your game that helped get you on this team and where does that course rank in your all-time favorites? Yeah, I mean, like I’ve said, it’s it’s a very special place to me. I’ve I’ve played it in competition a fair bit. Um, but yeah, I I’ve always loved it. It’s it’s straightforward. It’s right in front of you. It’s long. It’s difficult. Um, so I just I love that about it. There’s there’s nothing funky about it. It’s it’s, you know, here’s a fairway. If you hit it, great. You have a chance. If not, good luck. So, um, you know, it’s it’s it’s kind of that major championship style, difficult, and I just I think that suits my game and I’m, you know, I’m always excited to go back there. It’s, like I said, one of my favorite places in the world. Thanks. Good luck. See you soon. Thank you. One more call on Zoom. Toms out of Vermont. Uh, hi Keegan. Tomys from uh your hometown newspaper, the Vermont Standard in Woodstock. Uh congratulations on uh on your captaincy. And um I have to ask you a kind of a local question. Um as a huge fan of the Bruins, the Red Sox, the Patriots, and the Celtics, uh uh what is it that you bring from your Vermont and New England heritage to your captaincy and to the game of golf? Well, I think, you know, I everything about me is New England and Northeast. It’s sort of um one of the things I’m most proud of. Not a lot of people on tour are from there. And, you know, we have a I guess you could say a bit of an edge to our to one another, but um I uh I you know, growing up in in New England, I I had a very short season, so I felt like I had no time to waste ever. And um you know, I sort of feel like I bring that to everything that I do. I try to do everything to 100%. And like I’ve said a million times, the greatest honor of my life has been to be this RDER Cup captain. And I’m going to put everything that I have into this. Um, our our vice captains are going to do that. Our players are going to do that. The wives, the coaches, the caddies, everybody’s going to put everything they have into into uh being successful at this Ryder Cup. And um I know we’re excited to get going and it’s really fun that it’s just around the corner now. Thanks so much, Keegan. Appreciate it. We’re gonna pop back to PGA Frisco with a couple of questions, please. Hey, Keegan. Jeff Cole with Fox 4 here in Dallas. Congratulations again. Um, over this last year, can you bring us through the process of what it’s been like to learn about being a RDER Cup captain and a month in a month from now, how are you most looking forward to impacting trying to help this team win as a captain? Yeah. So, it was interesting for me being captain. I had no zero experience. So, I kind of went about this the way I thought the way I liked a team to be run. And I I did lean on other captains and other coaches and other athletes. But, you know, I sort of brought a perspective of this was a sort of off in the distance choice for me to be captain. And they did this for a reason. So, I’m going to do this the way I think is best. And um you know, I think one of my favorite things about being the RDER Cup captain over the last year and a half is getting to know the guys better. I did a horrible job of that um most of my career. And I’ve told all these guys this, but I’ve learned so much from them. The way that they handle themselves, the way that they’re friendly to one another, the way that they they truly care and pull for one another. Something that I, you know, I I looked at, you know, everyone as sort of my opponents. These guys, they care about one another and um they’ve they’ve taught me a lot of of uh how to live a happier life on tour and I’m really grateful for that. Thank you. Another inquiry from Kyle Porter. Yeah, Kyle Porter, normal sport. Uh I was just curious, we do a lot of arguing in the media about what statistics should be looked at, what numbers should be looked at for who should make the team. I know you guys are looking at everything, but what when you talk about these last few months of guys really standing out, are you looking at strokes gain? Are you looking at finishes? Are you looking at top 10? What what really are those that kind of rise to the top that that you guys are looking at? Well, we look mostly at who has the lowest score at the end of the tournaments. Uh, you know, we look at the data, we look at the analytics, and we look at, you know, how they would fare at Beth Page. uh how they would fare in each format, but ultimately like we we want to see who the guys that that win and the guys that are up in the majors, the guys that are up in playoff events. Um no, the the data and the analytics isn’t going to matter on that first te when there’s 40,000 fans screaming at you. So like we’re going to we take that into account and we look at it and we we apply it when we can, but we want guys that we know can handle the situation, that can handle the moment, and are going to go out there and win points. Art Strickland. Hello. Yeah. Uh Keegan, you mentioned Maverick McNeely already, but was that the toughest call you had to make or who who would you say would be the toughest call you had to make knowing that they weren’t going to be on the team this year? I I can’t I wish I could give you a person and answer, but I they were all tough. Uh they were all, you know, me sitting on my chair at my house with like, you know, just trying to get the strength to to call these guys because I know what it takes to get this close to making the team and not making it. And you never know if you’re ever going to get another shot at it. This might be, you know, you never know. Maybe these guys all play multiple RDER Cups going forward, maybe they don’t. And and as a player, I certainly was aware of that when I didn’t make the last team. And you know, it’s heartbreaking because when you get this close to making a United States Rder Cup team, one of the hardest teams to make in any sport in the world, it’s devastating when you don’t make it. So, it’s a it’s a it’s a heavy obligation to to call these guys, but they all handled it like pros. I was really impressed. Question is, how many calls did you make? Uh, we we we made some calls. I I’d rather just keep that to to us. Yeah. Art, we’re gonna save some donuts for you in the back. Um, we’re gonna go back on the Zoom calls right now. Alan Bastable, how are you? Great. Thanks, Julius. Keegan, I know Michael Jordan is a golf pal of yours. I’m curious, have you consulted with him at all during your captaincy? And do you expect him in attendance at Beth Page uh in any kind of role? Um, I I cons I tal Michael’s been a really great uh friend to me for I met him at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Madina. He’s there for me all the time and and a lot of people in his life. Um I rely on not only him but other people to help guide me through heavy decisions, decision- making. Um, so he’s always there for me and I’m really so it’s a it’s an amazing thing to meet your idols and and turn turns out they’re just incredible people and caring and really, you know, he’s he’s been really amazing. Um, he he he loves golf. He loves the RDER Cup. Um, I’m not going to speak for him whether he’s going to be there or not, but um, I know he’ll be cheering for United States and for these boys right here. Thank you, Alan. Doug Ferguson, good afternoon, good morning. Whatever, Julius. Um, Kegan, I I just wanted to go back to what you said at the start. U, you’d said this changes the story a little bit when you won Harford. I I didn’t get a clear sense of of a moment where you began to shift away from contemplating playing to realizing you’re a better off captain. I think I sort of knew in the back of my I did know in the back of my mind that I just wanted to be the captain. But again, I was going to do what I thought was best for the team. So, you know, if I if I, you know, win Hardford and win, you know, continued at a really high level and I’m, you know, clearly, you know, one of the best players in the world and that that I can help this team win, I would have done that. I really truly felt this whole time that I needed to be the captain um from the very start and you know like my vice captains knew that a lot of the players knew that. Um and then you know when I after Hartford I I sort of had to just back off that a little bit and be more open to the idea of playing. um still with the idea that I I really just wanted to be the captain and you know I I really I really want to leave this process knowing I did everything I could as a captain and I was worried if I played I I might not be able to do that. Okay. Thanks. And secondly, if there’s like a freak injury, if Scotty makes ravioli or something, do you have an alternate or do you bring your clubs? Uh I have I I believe it or not, I’ve been asked that a bunch of times already. Um, but I don’t know the answer to that. I’ll I’ll look into it, Doug, and get back to you. I’ll wait. Thanks, thank you, Doug. Daniel Matthews, hello. Hi, Keegan. Thanks very much. I know you said uh you’ve been surprised by how much how big a story you you potentially playing has become. I just wondered therefore what your reaction is when was when the the president even intervened saying he wanted you to play. Yeah, that was really surreal. Um, you know, I I again I’ve been really blown away with the support. Um, anytime you get the support of the president of the United States is really surreal and stunning. So, um, I really appreciate it, Mr. President. Um, I hope you’re not disappointed. Uh we look forward to seeing you at the RDER Cup and um you know I I uh that certainly made things it really uh when when you see stuff like that it’s you start to wonder how we got to this point in my life. But I uh I I was really honored uh deeply deeply honored to to have him say that. Thank you. Robbie Woodter up next. Hi Keegan. Hopefully, you’ve been able to have some fun throughout this process of being the captain, but what has been your favorite part of the captain experience so far? And then fast forward to Sunday, September 28th, and describe the perfect storybook ending. Well, without question, and I’ve expressed this to the guys, my my favorite thing about being captain is it’s forced me to get open up more. And you know, I sort of lived life on tour in the shadows for for most of my career. And you know, I I I went to the course, did my job, and I left. Um, and I didn’t forge many strong relationships. And and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve I’ve really regretted that. And what these guys have taught me is that that’s not the way you have to go about your career. And getting to know Patrick, getting to know Sam, all these guys has been really great. And and selfishly, it’s been great for me as well. It’s it’s again, it’s taught me a new life on tour, and I truly believe it’s helped me play at a higher level on Zoom. Two more questions are left. Juan, good morning. Good morning, Hart. So, these four of you are the players that played in Rome. I was wondering from that experience, what can you use to motivate yourself with page and what kind of form your attitude is your Juan? I tell you what, we’re getting um some inconsistent words from you right now. We’re going to go to Adam Shupac and we’re going to see if we can clear up your line. Okay, Keegan dwelled a lot on the tough calls to make, but tell me give me a story of calling one of these guys and and somebody who was just, you know, crazy happy about this. What was what was the best moment in terms of the the good calls? Truthfully, I mean, calling them all was great and a huge relief. But I I really enjoyed calling the the guys who haven’t made Ryder Cup team before. Colin Cameron Young, who I knew uh had worked so hard at making this team. Um from New York, Beth Paige, um I know he’s had some heartbreaking teams that he’s missed and I can relate to that. That that was a really special call and call him Ben Griffin. Um you know, Ben Ben wasn’t on our radar till this year and he just continuously played at the extremely high level throughout the whole year. and I got a chance to play with him for the first time at Windham this year and I was just blown away with how good this guy was and I was wondering where the hell he’s been for the last uh few years. U but I uh I just was so impressed with with these two guys and um you know getting to make the call to be your first on your first Ryder Cup team is a huge deal and I really I really enjoyed those two calls. Um Sam showed a lot of emotion which I appreciated. Pat didn’t give me any emotion which uh uh but it was great. I I I’ve been looking forward to those calls for for for months. Thanks. All right, Juan, it looks like you’re asking any of the four players that actually played in Rome what they learned from Rome that they can bring to Beth Page. Um, leave it up to any of you four to respond. You guys are done, aren’t you? one, I’m going to give you a one-on-one with each of them for about an hour each. We’ll get back to you uh on that. Um seeing no more questions right now, ladies and gentlemen, Keegan, uh I’d like you to take a a deep breath and give us your final thoughts. Yeah, I just am again just um when this first started, I didn’t know what to expect. Uh I didn’t know if we could handle this with playing a full-time schedule. A lot of people didn’t think I could still play and do this. I’m really proud of the year that I had, but I’m more proud of the the the guys and how they’ve been. Um, again, I I I’m not afraid to say that I look up to each and every one of these guys just how they carry themselves, how they conduct themselves. Um, the way they play, the way they treat each other. I’ve never seen they’re genuinely their their friend wins a tournament. They’re genuinely happy for that other player and they’re they’re I see him uh rooting for him when no one’s watching, you know, uh watching TV and cheering him on. and it was inspiring to me and it it changed me as a person and as a player forever. Um, and I I I’m not afraid to say again that I look up to each and every one of them and they they’ve taught me so much and I I look forward to returning to Beth Page as the RDER Cup captain. Um, and hopefully uh winning the RDER Cup on Sunday. Ladies and gentlemen, your six captain’s picks and Keegan Bradley [Music] Rob [Music] running to the restroom And then I’m meeting him to bring it down. We’ll see you again.