LIV Golf stars warned by USA captain Keegan Bradley despite……
Keegan Bradley, the U.S. Ryder Cup captain, has issued a stern message regarding the inclusion of LIV Golf players in the upcoming Ryder Cup. While he acknowledges the exceptional talent of players such as Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, he emphasizes that no spots will be guaranteed for those from LIV Golf.
Bradley is well aware of the constraints posed by LIV Golf’s exclusion from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), which complicates the qualification process for its players. This lack of OWGR sanctioning means LIV players cannot directly qualify through the standard automatic selection route, which is based on rankings and performance. Instead, their only route to earning a spot is through exceptional performances in major tournaments, where they can accumulate valuable points.
Despite these challenges, both DeChambeau, the reigning U.S. Open champion, and Koepka, a five-time major winner, are among the elite American golfers who Bradley believes could potentially make the Ryder Cup team. Bradley is currently strategizing for the Ryder Cup, scheduled to take place next year at Bethpage Black, and is considering all potential candidates. He recognizes that these players, given their previous successes and demonstrated skill, could play crucial roles in the competition.
The Ryder Cup in Rome last year saw a notable absence of LIV Golf players such as DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, and Patrick Reed. Their exclusion was a significant talking point, especially in light of the American team’s defeat to Europe, who triumphed with a score of 16.5-11.5. The European team, known for their strong sense of unity, outperformed the American side, which led to considerable discussion about team composition and selection criteria.
Bradley is adamant that his decision-making process for the Ryder Cup will be driven purely by merit rather than any political or organizational affiliations. He stresses that his focus will be on selecting the most talented players, regardless of their tour affiliations. Speaking on the Fore Play Podcast, he outlined his commitment to fielding the strongest possible squad. “I am firmly committed to having the best players on the team,” Bradley stated. “As of now, the landscape of LIV Golf and its relationship with the PGA Tour is still evolving. I am not involved in any behind-the-scenes discussions or potential mergers, so my priority remains straightforward: assembling the best team possible.”
Bradley’s stance reflects his belief that team selection should be based on current form and performance rather than past affiliations or politics. He recognizes that there are highly motivated LIV players eager to compete in the Ryder Cup, and he is open to considering them if they prove their worth through their performance in the coming months.
The captain also reflected on his own experience and how it has shaped his views on team selection. At the previous Ryder Cup, despite strong performances that outpaced some well-known stars like Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, Bradley himself did not make the team. This experience has reinforced his belief in a fair and performance-based selection process. “I’ve learned that team selection should be based on who is performing best,” he said. “Even if I finished outside the automatic picks, I want to ensure that the final selection reflects the top-performing players. If I believe that players ranked seventh or eighth deserve a spot based on their form, then that’s how I will approach the selection process.”
In essence, Bradley’s approach is clear: he values performance and merit over any other considerations. As he prepares for the Ryder Cup, his focus will be on assessing players’ current form and potential to contribute to the team’s success, rather than being swayed by external factors or past affiliations. This approach highlights his commitment to ensuring that the U.S. team is as competitive as possible and ready to face the challenge posed by their European counterparts.
