Keegan Bradley has officially confirmed that he will not compete as a playing captain at the Ryder Cup 2025 at Bethpage Black, choosing instead to dedicate himself fully to the leadership role.
Bradley, currently ranked 11th in the Official World Golf Ranking, revealed his six captain’s picks on Wednesday, finalizing the 12-man Team USA roster. His decision meant leaving himself off the list despite being ranked ahead of several chosen players, including Ben Griffin (17th), Bryson DeChambeau (18th), Cam Young (20th), Patrick Cantlay (21st), and Sam Burns (22nd).
“This was a really tough decision,” Bradley admitted. “I grew up wanting to play Ryder Cups and fight alongside these guys. It broke my heart not to play. But my ultimate goal was to be the best captain I could be — and I know 100 percent that this was the right choice.”
The 39-year-old acknowledged that while he had dreamed of competing, his responsibility as captain took precedence. He emphasized that the team’s strength ultimately mattered more than his personal ambition.
Ryder Cup veteran Justin Thomas praised Bradley’s commitment, saying, “Keegan is gutted, but he said it perfectly. He’s going to do whatever he needs to do for the team.”
Bradley also addressed comments from Rory McIlroy, who had suggested it would be nearly impossible to serve effectively as both a player and captain. While Bradley said he didn’t take those remarks to heart, he conceded that his dual role was never seriously discussed with vice-captains or automatic qualifiers.
Reflecting on the intense speculation surrounding his choice, Bradley added, “It’s strange this decision got so much hype, but that just shows how much the Ryder Cup means.”
With his selections complete, Bradley will now lead Team USA into one of golf’s most anticipated events, hoping that his focus on leadership over playing will give the Americans the edge at Bethpage Black.
