The PGA of America has reportedly chosen its captain to steer Group USA on the Ryder Cup subsequent fall at Bethpage Black.
It’s a moderately outside-the-box choice. Keegan Bradley—the person Zach Johnson snubbed a yr in the past—will reportedly captain the American aspect at Bethpage Black, per Bob Harig of Sports activities Illustrated.
Bradley has competed within the Ryder Cup twice, experiencing defeat on each events. In his Ryder Cup debut, he witnessed the Europeans storm again on Sunday to win the competitors at Medinah in 2012. Then, two years later, Group Europe defeated the Individuals at Gleneagles in Scotland, 16.5-to-11.5, as Phil Mickelson famously disparaged Group USA chief Tom Watson within the aftermath.
However now Bradley, who has suffered gut-punch after gut-punch all through his Ryder Cup profession—with none extra important than final yr—may have a possibility for the final word redemption story. He’ll lead the American aspect at Bethpage Black, lower than 25 miles from the place he performed collegiate golf at St. John’s College. He additionally loves this competitors greater than anything in golf, a testomony to his patriotism, drive, and adoration for team-match play.
“I take into consideration the Ryder Cup each second I’m awake, mainly,” Bradley stated forward of final yr’s BMW Championship, a couple of weeks earlier than Johnson neglected him for the likes of Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, and Sam Burns.
Bradley received twice through the 2022-23 season, together with on the Vacationers Championship, the Signature Occasion in his native New England. He completed eleventh within the closing Group USA Ryder Cup standings, finalized after the 2023 Tour Championship.
“I’m tremendous bummed out,” Bradley stated after he didn’t make the crew.
“I believed I put collectively a extremely good yr with two wins, together with [one] in Hartford over an elite subject. I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished… I’ve all the time been an outsider within the sport, however I’ve tried to get nearer to the fellows I believed could be on the crew. I really feel like shifting ahead, I’m going to must robotically qualify for the Ryder Cup. [That said,] I’m [still] pulling for the U.S. Group.”
Bradley is not going to must qualify for subsequent yr’s biennial competitors at Bethpage Black. As an alternative, he would be the gatekeeper, the person who will finally resolve which gamers make the crew.
Different attainable candidates included Stewart Cink and Fred {Couples}, however the PGA of America has determined to go in a unique path, one which Shakespeare would marvel at if Bradley may help information the Individuals to victory.
However not dissimilar to how Shakespearean tales have shocked readers for hundreds of years, golf followers have voiced their astonishment amid Harig’s report about Bradley:
He goes from minimize to captain? Kinda prefer it, want him to convey all hitters
— Wabes (@__wabes) July 8, 2024
After all, many golf followers displayed their exceptional humorousness, with some even speaking about Spieth and Thomas:
Going to chortle my ass off when Speith and Thomas are left at residence.
— The Golfpro (@the_golfpro) July 8, 2024
Others additionally permitted of the choice:
Keegan Bradley’s coronary heart was ripped out when ZJ stated he wouldn’t be on the 2023 crew.
Within the warmth of the second, he dealt with the information with grace, class, and maturity. His dedication to supporting his nation is exceptional, and that’s why he’ll make one hell of a captain. #RyderCup
— Mitch Bach (@MitchBach) July 8, 2024
He’s really bought balls and needs to compete. Guys prior to now, like Zach Johnson, love the title and enjoyable of it. That’s not how the Europeans method it and it isn’t how the U.S. ought to.
I’d love if it’s Keegan Bradley. Give this crew some fireplace.
— thomas steez (@notorioussteez) July 8, 2024
That makes loads of sense. Possibly the very best use for Keegan Bradley. I dare say golfers would unite in believing that having that man on the wall to your crew helps you sleep at night time. Very sturdy Payne Stewart vibes. And I’ve lengthy believed his loss has helped cripple our RC groups
— Tom Stoner (@tstoner4) July 8, 2024
Different followers referenced Bradley’s Ryder Cup bag from Medinah, which has remained closed and sealed because the 2012 Ryder Cup.
That is my suitcase from 2012 Ryder Cup that I haven’t opened since that Sunday. I promised myself I wouldn’t open it until I received a Ryder Cup.
That week modified my potential on golf eternally. The Ryder Cup all of a sudden turned essential to me. pic.twitter.com/RFN6mqeiWH— Keegan Bradley (@Keegan_Bradley) August 30, 2023
So, some followers referenced these superstitions:
Does this imply he is allowed to open that Ryder Cup bag now?
(I type of like this; no person’s going to take it extra severely than Keegan.) https://t.co/pyRVWU9Qx9
— Chris Parish (@cparish.bsky.social) (@TheChrisParish) July 8, 2024
If Keegan Bradley doesn’t convey the suitcase to the NYSE tomorrow morning and unzip it on nationwide TV then what are we even doing right here
— PJ Clark (@TheRealPJClark) July 8, 2024
After which there’s one fan who asks a wonderfully affordable query, particularly contemplating Bradley’s New England roots:
A Boston Crimson Sox fan goes to captain the crew in New York? Are you kidding me?
— Brian Gardner (@Brian_F_Gardner) July 8, 2024
At any charge, no person noticed this choice coming. Regardless, Bradley will put his coronary heart and soul into main the U.S. Group, which he dearly loves and admires.
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. Make sure to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.
