Keegan Bradley on Ryder Cup decision: "Tiger and Phil would have been doing the same thing"

Keegan Bradley says he will likely make a decision about being a playing captain for Team USA at the 2025 Ryder Cup after the U.S. Open. 

Bradley confirmed he will revaluate his chances of making the team on merit after making an excellent start to the PGA Championship. 

The 38-year-old and his European counterpart Luke Donald impressed on day one of the second men's major of the year. 

Bradley signed for a 3-under 68 whilst Donald - who admitted he just wanted to make the cut - went one better with a flawless 67. 

"I'm excited to shoot him a text when we're done here," Bradley told reporters of Donald at Quail Hollow. 

"I was pumped to see Luke up there. I know how hard he's been working back home. Luke is an all-time great player. [It] doesn't surprise me."

Bradley declined to say what the text would involve, only that he would 'give him a little s---'. 

The former PGA Championship winner has always maintained he wanted to qualify for another Ryder Cup team on merit. 

His last appearance in the biennial dust-up was in 2012 at Medinah where Europe mounted their miracle comeback. 

He was named as the surprise choice to succeed Zach Johnson last July and, should he pick himself, would become the youngest playing captain since Arnold Palmer led America in 1963 at East Lake. 

Bradley said he still doesn't know if he wants to combine the captaincy with a playing role. 

"I want to help the team the best I can," he said. "If that means playing, then I'll do that.

"But you know, I think it's pretty difficult to do both. But I have incredible vice captains, including Jim Furyk, who has done this before. Snedeker and Webb and [Kevin] Kisner have all been assistants.

"We have a great team. But if it comes down to do I think that's what will help us win, that's what I'll do. 

"But yeah, that's the only thought in my head."

Bradley said we are in a 'different era of Ryder Cup captains'. 

"I've said a million times, if they gave Tiger or Phil a captaincy at my age, they would have been doing the same thing. 

"I've just been the only one given the opportunity.

"I still feel like I'm in the prime of my career. I don't feel like I'm in this Ryder Cup role where -- I'm still trying to be one of the best players in the world, and feel like I can be.

"Just because I'm the Ryder Cup captain doesn't change my outlook towards how I compete."

Bradley said he has set a timetable to revaluate where he stands after the U.S. Open at Oakmont. 

As things stand, he is currently 22nd in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings ahead of the likes of Jordan Spieth, Sam Burns, Patrick Reed, Max Homa, Cameron Young and Will Zalatoris. 

"But as of right now, I'm not anywhere near making the team," he said.  

"So as I've said a million times, I'm acting as if I am the captain, not playing at this point.

"But obviously trying to go out and win majors, win tournaments and do the best that I can."