US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley won’t have playing role
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US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley named Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns to complete his 12-man team.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
- Keegan Bradley, US Ryder Cup captain, opted not to select himself, prioritising the team's success over personal desire despite Trump's urging.
- Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns were named as wildcard picks.
- The US team is now complete, with a blend of experienced players and debutants, ready to face Europe, while Luke Donald will reveal his picks on September 1st.
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NEW YORK – US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley opted not to become the first playing captain in 62 years in the biennial matchplay showdown with Europe, when he rounded off his squad on Aug 27.
He named his six captain’s selections to complete the 12-man US team and did not call his own name, saying he ultimately decided he must focus on his captain’s duties as the Americans vie to regain the trophy they lost in Rome two years ago.
“I grew up wanting to play Ryder Cups,” Bradley said at the PGA of America headquarters in Frisco, Texas.
“I grew up wanting to fight alongside these guys. And it just broke my heart not to play.
“But ultimately I was chosen to do a job... I was chosen to be captain of this team. And my ultimate goal to start this whole thing was to be the best captain that I could be.
“If we got to this point and I felt like the team was better with me on it, I was going to do it.
“I was going to do whatever I thought was best for this team, and I know 100 per cent for certain this is the best choice.”
The 39-year-old’s strong season – including a victory at the Travelers Championship and five other top-10 finishes – sparked speculation he would choose himself and become the first US playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963.
US President Donald Trump, who plans to attend the first of three days of competition at Bethpage Black in New York, was among those weighing in with the opinion that Bradley should select himself.
“That was surreal, I’ve been blown away by the support, when you get the support of the President, it’s surreal, I appreciate it,” Bradley added.
He instead named two-time Major winners Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay, Sam Burns and rookies Ben Griffin and Cameron Young.
“I would say there was a point this year where I was playing, a while ago, and these guys stepped up in a major way and played their way onto this team,” Bradley said.
“It was an extremely difficult decision, but one that I’m really happy with and with these six players.
“And I’m glad it’s over,” he added of the agonising selection process.
They join the six automatic qualifiers in the US line-up – top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, two-time Major winners Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau, US Open winner J.J. Spaun and fellow Ryder Cup rookie Russell Henley, and Harris English.
Scheffler has enjoyed another stellar season, with his five victories including Major titles at the PGA Championship and British Open.
He headlines a US team aiming to regain the trophy they surrendered with a 16.5-11.5 loss to Europe in Rome.
Team Europe will retain the bulk of their line-up from 2023 as they try to capture the first away victory in the event since their “Miracle at Medinah” in 2012.
Europe captain Luke Donald is scheduled to announce his six captain’s picks on Sept 1.
They will join automatic qualifiers Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Rasmus Hojgaard and Tyrrell Hatton. AFP
