Ryder Cup captains would have no issue bringing LIV Golf players to Bethpage
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Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald speak at a press conference during the Ryder Cup 2024 Year to Go Media Event.
PHOTO: AFP
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NEW YORK – Ryder Cup captains Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald said on Oct 8 that they will not shy away from including LIV Golf players in their respective teams for the 2025 biennial showdown between the United States and Europe.
Speaking during a Ryder Cup “Year to Go” news conference in New York, American Bradley and Englishman Donald were asked about their plans regarding players from the Saudi-backed circuit.
“If you fulfil the regulations and the rules that the DP World Tour set, then you’re eligible,” said Donald, 46.
“There’s a bunch of LIV guys that play on LIV that are eligible now, so I can pick them at will.”
Bradley, the 2011 PGA Championship winner, was more direct in his response.
“For us, I’m going to take the 12 best players. So if we feel like there are a few guys there (in LIV Golf), one guy, two guys, whatever it is, then we’re going to do that,” the 38-year-old said.
“But we’re too far out to figure out how this is all going to play out. But we’re definitely going to take the 12 best players however that shakes out.”
Five-time Major winner Brooks Koepka was the only LIV Golf player to compete at the 2023 Ryder Cup, where he was one of six captain’s picks for the US team. He was eligible due to a grace period that allowed him to remain a PGA of America member through 2024.
The PGA of America has since said that LIV players are eligible to compete for US Ryder Cup teams going forward.
LIV Golf players are technically eligible for the European team as long as they do not surrender their DP World Tour membership.
Donald said he recently talked with LIV Golf’s Sergio Garcia, Europe’s all-time leading points scorer, and that the Spaniard is “very interested” in rejoining the DP World Tour.
“First of all, obviously he resigned his membership a couple of years ago but we’ve had a few chats,” Donald said of Garcia.
“He’s considering rejoining (the DP World Tour). He’d have to follow all the rules and regulations like everyone else and if he does that then, again, he will be eligible to partake in the Ryder Cup.”
Bradley, who earned the clinching point for the US at the Presidents Cup in September, said it was too soon to discuss whether he would serve as a playing captain at Bethpage Black.
“It’s always a goal of mine to play on the Ryder Cup teams. It’s so far off now that it’s really – I’m not going to worry about it,” he said.
“Once we get closer to the tournament and I’m up there on the points list, then we’ll start to think about it. But I’m focused now on being the captain of the team and that’s it.” REUTERS
