Keegan Bradley's Ryder Cup Conundrum Gets Rickie Fowler, Cantlay's Seal of Approval

Newsweek

3 days ago

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With the Ryder Cup just six weeks away, tensions are rising not just between Team USA and Europe, but within the American squad itself. Especially when it comes to deciding whether Bradley should serve as a rare playing captain when the Cup returns to Bethpage Black this September.
Last week, Jordan Spieth stirred the pot during a media appearance, joking that he wouldn't want Bradley to pick himself as a player. Though delivered with a grin, the deeper message was clear. Spieth believes that role should go to someone else, someone like him.
But not everyone in the locker room shares that sentiment.
During Tuesday's press conference at the BMW Championship, Rickie Fowler and Patrick Cantlay voiced strong support for Bradley's inclusion as both captain and player.
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 17: Rickie Fowler of the United States reacts on the 13th green during the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 17, 2024 in Louisville,...
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 17: Rickie Fowler of the United States reacts on the 13th green during the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 17, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by) More
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"If I was the captain, I'd pick Keegan (Bradley)," Cantlay shared with reporters during the pre-tournament conference. "I think he's (Bradley) played great. I think he has a lot of responsibility that week, so if he feels that he can play golf like a normal week, given all his other responsibilities, I'm just saying that if I was the (Ryder cup) captain and I was thinking, I think he's definitely one of the best American players, and his results have shown that."
Fowler, a five-time Ryder Cup veteran, echoed the endorsement.
"Yeah, I would pick him too," he told the reporters during Tuesday's conference. He added, "I think it would be hard to find really any or many Americans that would argue that point."
Bradley currently sits at No. 10 in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings with 8,103 points. The 39-year-old has just two events left (the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship) to break into the top six and secure automatic qualification.
Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and J.J. Spaun have already locked in their spots, leaving three automatic berths up for grabs. The remaining six positions will be filled via captain's picks.
Among those, Bradley has already confirmed that Bryson DeChambeau, Russell Henley and Harris English, currently ranked 4th, 5th, and 6th, all assured of playing at Bethpage, regardless of where they finish in points.
That leaves Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Maverick McNealy and Andrew Novak battling for the final three picks.
Bradley's own stance has evolved over the season. Initially, he said he would only play if he qualified on points. But after winning the Travelers Championship in June, he reconsidered.
"If I feel like I'm going to help the team, I'll pick myself," Bradley stated after his Travelers Championship win over Tommy Fleetwood.
Fowler acknowledged the dilemma.
"I know he's maybe getting to the area on points of where he may think, like, 'Is this a spot where I should not pick myself?'" Fowler shared as quoted. "But I don't think you're going to find many Americans that are going to argue that he shouldn't be on the team."
The final six captain's picks will be announced after the Tour Championship. And if Bradley does tee it up at Bethpage, he'll be the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963.
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