Former winning Ryder Cup captain reveals he was never approached for U.S. role

Former winning Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker has revealed he was never approached about succeeding Keegan Bradley to lead the United States team next year. 

After Bradley oversaw a devastating 15-13 home defeat at Bethpage Black last September, there were calls for the PGA of America to rethink its Ryder Cup strategy and build a stronger leadership culture. 

After Tiger Woods ruled himself out of the role, there were suggestions they may return to a figure who had already delivered success, with Stricker and the likes of Paul Azinger mentioned - the latter who introduced a successful “pod system” ahead of the 2008 Ryder Cup.

But Jim Furyk, who captained the side in Paris in 2018 when Europe sealed a dominant 17½-10½ victory, will lead the red, white and blue next September at Adare Manor in Ireland. 

Stricker confirmed to Golfweek that he was never even sounded out, adding: "I had a couple phone calls with reporters that were curious about the same thing, but never had any conversation with the PGA of America."

Asked on whether he would have entertained the idea of being the skipper again, he added: "I probably would have welcomed it to try to do it again. Overseas, I would have liked to try to do. 

"But, it takes a lot of time out of your life, too, and at this point in time it’s probably not a good thing for me to be involved in as a captain.

"But, yeah, my heart and desire lies with that Ryder Cup because it’s so much fun. 

"The experience we had here at Whistling Straits was a gas and to be a part of it again would be cool. But again, maybe it’s just better left to be alone with that and not do it again."

Furyk was named as the United States Ryder Cup captain in April after Woods, 50, ruled himself out of the role following his arrest on charges of driving under the influence in Florida. 

The 55-year-old will become just the fourth US captain in the modern era of the competition, which began in 1979, to lead the team twice.

Before last month's PGA Championship, Furyk admitted Team USA need to rethink their Ryder Cup setup. 

And he outlined his ambitions plans to overhaul America's approach. 

"We really need to start making the Ryder Cup more of a priority each and every year, year in and year out," he said. 

"I love this generation [of players]. I've had the honour to be their captain, their vice captain now for the last few years. 

"I see the heart, the grit. I just love these guys.

"So when I look at my job, it's really to create a culture, a chemistry amongst them and put them in positions where they can be really successful."

Furyk said their pairings and approach to the foursomes needs to be addressed. 

Stricker's message to LIV Golf players

Elsewhere, Stricker also welcomed the idea of ageing LIV Golf players teeing it up on the PGA Tour Champions in the future. 

The future of the breakaway tour hangs in the balance and it is understood the league has two months to find fresh investment to keep going in 2027. 

There are even suggestions LIV's backers could turn off the money tap sooner than expected. 

Should that come to pass, there would be an abundance of golfers looking for a place to play. 

Asked whether he would welcome the likes Phil Mickelson back on the PGA Tour Champions, Stricker told Golfweek: "There's two ways of looking at it, right? 

"Sure, to have the guys that are 50 now, or close to it, like Lee Westwood, [Ian] Poulter, Pat Perez, some other guys [Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson], they would be hits here on the Champions Tour. This tour could use that. I look at it from that standpoint. 

"Then I look at it from the other standpoint of like well, they did leave. And I think each case is going to be taken differently from what I understand. I really don’t know.

"I look at it both ways and I'm not sure which way is right. I mean, if I'm a tournament director I would love to have those guys and we’re in this business right here [with the AmFam Championship]. 

"Don't get me wrong, I would love to have Poulter and Westwood and Pat Perez and some other guys there, too. 

"It would only help our event, you know? But I also know that there are probably consequences for them if they want to come back."