Keegan Bradley has been selected as the U.S. captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup, with the PGA of America making the announcement after extended discussions with Tiger Woods about the role. Bradley, who has played in two Ryder Cups but never served as an assistant captain, will lead the team at Bethpage Black in New York.
At 38, Bradley will be the youngest American captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963. The news broke through Sports Illustrated and was confirmed by the PGA of America on Instagram, ahead of a formal introduction scheduled in New York.
Tiger Woods was initially the preferred choice for the captaincy, but his numerous commitments, including his role as vice chairman of the PGA Tour Enterprises board, limited his availability.
Woods, who previously captained the Presidents Cup in 2019 and assisted at the Ryder Cup in 2016, decided against taking on the role to ensure he could fully commit to his responsibilities. This led the PGA of America to turn to Bradley, a native of New England with a strong connection to the region and Ryder Cup experience.
Bradley, who has six PGA Tour victories including the 2011 PGA Championship, had hoped his recent form would earn him a spot in the Ryder Cup team. However, he was overlooked by captain Zach Johnson, who chose other players for the team.
Bradley’s selection as captain breaks from the usual template of selecting mid-40s players who have previously served as assistants. The decision also leaves uncertainty about whether Johnson will follow tradition and serve as an assistant in 2025.
Bradley’s Ryder Cup history includes a notable debut in 2012, where he performed well in partnership with Phil Mickelson but lost in singles to Rory McIlroy. His last appearance was in 2014 at Gleneagles, where he was benched by captain Tom Watson.
Despite these setbacks, Bradley’s passion for the Ryder Cup has remained strong, and he expressed excitement about leading the team at Bethpage Black, aiming to bring the same determination that has marked his career.
The selection process for the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup captain was unusually protracted and complex, partly due to Mickelson’s involvement with LIV Golf, which made him an unfavorable candidate despite being a favorite for the role.
After Mickelson, Woods was considered but eventually declined, leading to Bradley’s appointment. The situation mirrors Europe’s selection process for the 2023 Ryder Cup, where Luke Donald took over after Henrik Stenson joined LIV. Donald’s success in 2023 has set a high bar as he continues as Europe’s captain for 2025.
