Keegan Bradley doubles down on Ryder Cup captaincy decision

Keegan Bradley believes he made the right decision by not playing in the 2025 Ryder Cup and hasn't ruled out the possibility of appearing in the next contest as a player. 

The 39-year-old captained Team USA at Bethpage Black in September, overseeing what many considered a disastrous campaign as Europe secured a 15-13 away victory. 

It was the first time any side in the biennial matches had won on away soil since Europe completed a miraculous victory at Medinah in 2012. 

Bradley's appointment made him the youngest captain of either side since Arnold Palmer in 1963. 

In the months leading up to the showdown in New York, Bradley toiled over whether or not to include himself among his six captain's picks. 

Bradley's victory over Tommy Fleetwood at the Travelers Championship on the PGA Tour demonstrated he was undoubtedly among the 12 best players the US had to offer. 

In the end, he decided against taking on the duel role and told reporters this week in a news conference promoting next week's Skins Game he believed he made the correct decision. 

Related:

• Top points scorers at Bethpage

"I'm a player and when I decided not to play, that was for what I thought was for the betterment
of the team," Bradley said. 

"When I got there that week, early in the week, I was thinking how badly I wanted to play. 

"But then as the week went on, I realised how [im]possible that would've been just with the long hours and the stress and the moving around.

"And so for me, I have to revert back, switch back to thinking of myself as a player. I would love to play in another Ryder Cup. I'll be 41 on the next one, so who knows?

"But I'll give it certainly my hardest and I hope to be a part of many Ryder Cups to come."

Despite a dramatic final day comeback attempt, Bradley's red, white and blue gave themselves too much to do after Europe established a seven-point lead ahead of the Sunday singles. 

A crestfallen Bradley acknowledged in the immediate aftermath of defeat that he made a mistake with the course set-up. 

His pairings were also criticised, with his decision to send out Harris English and Collin Morikawa twice in the foursomes coming under particular scrutiny. 

Data Golf suggested, statistically, that they were the worst pairing in the format and they were battered twice by Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood. 

Bradley has now lost three Ryder Cups as a player in captain. 

He still has not opened the suitcase that the from the aforementioned 2012 defeat at Medinah. He was also on the losing side at Gleneagles in 2014.

"When I think back at the Ryder Cup throughout my life, it's a strange feeling because it's an event
that I love, but there's been such heartbreak involved with every single one of 'em," he added. 

"And for me, I've spoken to Xander and all the boys about this, I'm forever going to have that hole inside of me of not winning as a captain. And it's always going to be in the back of my mind."

The 2027 Ryder Cup takes place at Adare Manor in Ireland over 17-19 September. 

Who will be the next US Ryder Cup captain?

The PGA of America have not announced Keegan Bradley's successor. 

There is speculation that Bradley will be given another crack at the whip, though it appears unlikely now. 

Tiger Woods is the most frequently mentioned candidate and is the favourite to take on the captaincy for the very first time.

Woods, 49, is also close friends with the Irish billionaire, J.P. McManus, that owns Adare Manor. 

The 15-time major winner turned down the role before it was offered to Bradley, citing commitments on the PGA Tour and other responsibilities.

Webb Simpson, Jim Furyk, Fred Couples, Stewart Cink and Brandt Snedeker have also been mentioned. 

European skipper Luke Donald has been given some time to weigh up whether he wants to continue in the role. 

Francesco Molinari is the favourite to succeed Donald should the Englishman decide against leading the blue and gold in Ireland. 

Next US Ryder Cup captain odds