Keegan Bradley Initiates Ryder Cup Preparations Following Open Championship

 

Newly appointed Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley has embarked on an ambitious mission to rejuvenate the American team’s fortunes ahead of the 2025 Ryder Cup, set to take place in New York. Bradley, who was officially named captain this month, has swiftly begun assembling his team and seeking the counsel of influential figures in the world of golf to help reclaim the trophy for the United States.

 

Bradley’s appointment came as something of a surprise, particularly given that Tiger Woods was initially viewed as the frontrunner for the role. However, Woods opted to withdraw from the race due to his substantial off-course commitments. Despite this, Bradley has expressed a strong desire to involve Woods in his leadership strategy, aiming to leverage the golfing icon’s unparalleled experience and insight.

 

In the wake of his appointment, Bradley has already made considerable efforts to engage with key individuals who can contribute to the American team’s success. This has included reaching out to Woods during The Open Championship at Royal Troon, where Bradley missed the cut. Although the focus of their discussions was not primarily on the Ryder Cup due to the ongoing tournament, Bradley has emphasized his commitment to integrating Woods into the team’s planning process. “I’ve told Tiger that I want him to be as involved as he wants to be,” Bradley stated. “With The Open going on, we’re not really chatting too much about the Ryder Cup. We both have a job to do, and I don’t want to bother Tiger with that. I think in the coming months—given that we’re still 14 months out—we’ve got a long time.”

 

Bradley, a veteran of two Ryder Cup campaigns—2012’s dramatic ‘Miracle of Medinah’ and the subsequent loss at Gleneagles in 2014—has been proactive in seeking advice from his predecessors. He has already been in touch with Zach Johnson, who led the American team during their defeat to Team Europe in Rome in 2023. Reports suggest that Johnson has endorsed Bradley’s choice of Webb Simpson as one of his vice-captains. Bradley has publicly praised Simpson, acknowledging him as a “valuable member of our leadership team and a trusted resource.” Bradley lauded Simpson’s extensive experience in team golf and his understanding of the nuances required to secure a victory in the Ryder Cup.

 

In addition to consulting with Johnson and Simpson, Bradley has reached out to other former Ryder Cup captains. His approach has been to gather insights from those who have previously held the position, learning from their experiences and incorporating their feedback into his own planning. “I heard from a lot of captains, texts and congratulatory messages,” Bradley said. “I plan on, probably when the season’s over, really starting to reach out to the old captains and sort of picking their brains on what they thought they did right, what they thought they did wrong.”

 

Bradley’s engagement with former captains has proven to be a rewarding process. He has found the opportunity to discuss strategies and receive feedback beneficial, describing the experience as “therapeutic.” The exchange of ideas and perspectives has provided him with valuable insights and reaffirmed his enthusiasm for the role.

 

As the 2025 Ryder Cup approaches, the American team faces the challenge of overcoming a European side that has demonstrated considerable dominance in recent decades. Europe has won 10 of the past 14 Ryder Cup meetings, establishing a formidable track record. The upcoming event, scheduled for September 26 to 28, 2025, will be held at Bethpage Black in New York. This will mark a return to a full-capacity crowd, following the pandemic-affected 2021 Ryder Cup in Wisconsin, which was impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.

 

Bradley’s early efforts to engage with key figures, seek expert advice, and lay the groundwork for his leadership reflect his dedication to revitalizing the American team’s prospects. As he continues to build his team and refine his strategy, all eyes will be on how the United States performs under his captaincy and whether they can reclaim the Ryder Cup from a formidable European side.