Major champion outlines concerns for Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley

Former PGA Championship winner Rich Beem says it would be devastating for Keegan Bradley if he plays in the 2025 Ryder Cup and doesn't register a single point for Team USA.

Bradley is understood to become the first playing captain at the biennial contest since Arnold Palmer in 1963. 

The 38-year-old American was named as the shock choice to succeed Zach Johnson at the helm last July and, back then, it seemed a tad unlikely Bradley would be in the position to qualify for the team automatically.

That is no disrespect to Bradley, but testament to the firepower of the red, white and blue. 

Bradley, though, finds himself at 10th in the overall standings behind Ben Griffin, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau, Russell Henley, JJ Spaun, Xander Schauffele and World No.1 Scottie Scheffler. 

He is unquestionably one of the top 12 US golfers on the planet right now but the big question is whether or not it would be wise to take on the dual role. 

Beem told the latest edition of the Sky Sports golf podcast that Bradley must be a playing captain. 

"From every indication that I've kind of heard, he has to," Beem said. 

But the 54-year-old has some concerns. 

"And it brings up a couple of, and this is where I'm a little leery, and I'm not leery about him playing, I'm worried about him playing just in the simple fact that we know how sometimes the media, especially social media, can be a little harsh on you," Beem said. 

"So if he decides to play, which I think he should, and captain, and he doesn't relinquish the captain duties, and he stays captain, say that he goes out there, the only good scenario he could have is if he plays well and the US side wins. That's the best case scenario.

"The worst, one of the worst case scenarios is if the US side loses and he doesn't win a single point. That would be devastating. Even if the US side wins and he doesn't win a point, that's gonna still raise a lot of questions.

"Should he have done that, X, Y, Z? I think it's all about if you win or you lose, to be fair, it doesn't matter how he plays. 

"But I think, though, that he's taking a little bit of a chance, not kind of giving this up, but to say, listen, I'm gonna play, but I'm also gonna captain. I'm like, hmm, man, we know how harsh some things can be.

"So if he plays and still is the captain, he's gotta play well."

How is Team USA shaping up?

Four-time major champion Scottie Scheffler was the first player to automatically qualify. 

Xander Schauffele, reigning US Open champion JJ Spaun and the consistent Russell Henley also appear to be very much locked in. 

LIV Golf recruit Bryson DeChambeau is fourth, but won't feature in the forthcoming playoffs on the PGA Tour and is liable to drop down the rankings. 

Still, Bradley has confirmed DeChambeau will be part of his 12-strong team. 

Harris English currently occupies the final automatic qualifying spot. 

English made his debut in the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits four years ago and picked up one point from the three matches he played. 

Beyond English, it is wide open. 

Collin Morikawa has always been widely viewed as a shoo-in but is struggling to find form. 

Ben Griffin has been in superb form this year and looks good for a pick. 

Justin Thomas is currently the bubble boy, but will likely get selected.

Elsewhere, Bradley will keeping an eye on the form of Maverick McNealy, Brian Harman, Andrew Novak, Patrick Cantlay, Jordan Spieth, Cameron Young, Sam Burns, Wyndham Clark, Lucas Glover, Daniel Berger and Chris Gotterup over the next few weeks. 

Spieth has already admitted his task of qualifying for the team was a tall order, given he started the season late after undergoing surgery on his wrist.

Young appears confident he deserves a spot.