Ryder Cup veterans Patrick Cantlay and Rickie Fowler believe Keegan Bradley should be on the U.S. team and even consider him for captain. Bradley, 39, is currently 10th in the U.S. team points standings after winning the Travelers Championship. With two FedEx Cup playoffs left, will he make the team? Find out more about the Ryder Cup roster and captain’s picks.
Imagine the unprecedented. A playing captain leading the US RDER Cup team for the first time in over six decades. Keegan Bradley, a seasoned golfer, is on the brink of making history. But the path to this milestone is fraught with both excitement and controversy. As the FedEx Cup playoffs approach their final stages, Bradley’s fate hangs in the balance. But here’s where it gets controversial. Should he be playing captain or should he focus solely on his managerial duties? Let’s dive in. Keegan Bradley, a name synonymous with golfing prowess, is currently in the spotlight with two FedEx Cup playoffs tournaments left. He is on the cusp of becoming the first playing captain for the US RDER Cup team since Arnold Palmer in 1963. At 39 years old, Bradley would be the youngest American captain since Palmer’s historic tenure. Ryder Cup veterans Patrick Kentlay and Ricky Fowler are among those who believe Bradley has already earned his spot on the 12 player roster. They argue that his performance this season, particularly his victory at the Travelers Championship, has been nothing short of stellar. Fowler, who has competed in five RDER Cups, is particularly vocal about Bradley’s qualifications. I think it would be hard to find really any or many Americans that would argue that point, Fowler stated. Bradley’s current standing in the US team points 10th, a testament to his consistent performance. He has five top 10 finishes and nine top 25 finishes in 19 starts. However, his recent form has been a bit shaky with no top 30 finishes in his last four starts. This inconsistency is the part most people miss. It raises the question, can Bradley balance the responsibilities of a captain with the demands of competitive play. World number one golfer Scotty Schoffler, US Open winner JJ Spawn, and Xander Schoffley have already secured their spots on the team. The top six golfers in points after this week’s BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club will automatically make the team. Russell Henley, LIIV Golf League captain Bryson Dshambo, and Harris English are currently in the top six, making their inclusion almost certain. Bradley has previously stated that Dshambo will be on the team, and Henley and English seem almost assured of playing at Beth Page Black regardless of their final points. Justin Thomas, Colin Morawa, Ben Griffin, Maverick McNeely, and Andrew Novak round out the current top 12. Bradley will make six captain’s choices on August 27th, 3 days after the tour championship at East Lake. The decision to choose himself as a playing captain is a complex one for Bradley. He has wavered on this point, initially stating he would only compete if he qualified on points. However, after his victory at the Travelers Championship, he hinted that he might pick himself if he felt he could contribute to the team’s success. Fowler believes that Bradley’s decision will be influenced by his current point standing and the overall strength of the team. I feel like a lot of times there’s really only one or two golfers that maybe fluctuate based off of people that were maybe inside the top 12 on points that maybe don’t get picked. Fowler said Kantley who competed in the past two RDER Cups is another strong advocate for Bradley. He believes that Bradley’s performance and emotional lift during the 2023 Rder Cup loss to the Europeans make him a valuable asset. If I was the captain, I’d pick Keegan. I think he’s played great. Kantley said if Bradley does choose himself, he would need to delegate some of his managerial duties. Former Rder Cup captain Jim Furick, one of his five vice captains, is likely to step in and handle some of the responsibilities. Kantley acknowledges the significant responsibilities that come with being a captain. I think he has a lot of responsibility that week. Kantley said, “So if he feels that he can play golf like a normal week given all his other responsibilities, I’m just saying that if I was the captain, I think he’s definitely one of the best American players, and his results have shown that.” The debate over whether Bradley should be a playing captain is far from settled. Some argue that his leadership and experience are invaluable, while others believe his focus should be solely on managing the team. What do you think? Should Keegan Bradley be a playing captain, or should he concentrate on his managerial duties? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
