Keegan Bradley Stands His Ground After Rory McIlroy's Ryder Cup Warning

Newsweek

5 hours ago

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Ever since Keegan Bradley expressed his desire to be the playing captain of Team USA for this year's Ryder Cup, he has been the center of swirling speculation.
The idea of a playing captain, something not seen since Arnold Palmer led and competed in 1963, has divided opinion across the golf world. But while most of the community got convinced by his stunning win at the Travelers Championship, some big names like Rory McIlroy still doubt the possibility.
Keegan Bradley responds to Rory McIlroy's Ryder Cup comment
One day before teeing off at the BMW Championship, McIlroy expressed his views on Bradley wanting to play at Bethpage as the captain.
CROMWELL, CONNECTICUT - JUNE 20: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Keegan Bradley of the United States on the first tee during the second round of the Travelers Championship 2025 at TPC River Highlands on...
CROMWELL, CONNECTICUT - JUNE 20: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Keegan Bradley of the United States on the first tee during the second round of the Travelers Championship 2025 at TPC River Highlands on June 20, 2025 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by) More
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"Because I don't think you can do it (both the roles)," McIlroy told reporters during the pre-tournament conference at Caves Valley.
According to the world No. 2, the commitments as a Ryder Cup captain, including the media, meetings, pairings, and speeches, it's just too much. For the same reason, he shot down the opportunity of being the future captain of Team Europe.
Bradley didn't shy away from McIlroy's critique. In fact, he embraced it while speaking to reporters on Thursday.
"(McIlroy) might be right. We don't know. No one knows," he said as quoted. "Everybody's telling me to start the year that a player can't be captain and have a good year. For me, I feel like this is one of my best years that I've ever had."
Bradley has been balancing captaincy duties with a full playing schedule by the beginning of this year, and by most accounts, he's done both impressively. And his No. 11 world ranking speaks for itself.
Still, the 39-year-old admitted the pressure is mounting.
"There's definitely a lot more on my plate here these next couple of weeks," he stated after carding 72 on Thursday. "The Ryder Cup has always been so far away, and now it's right there ... I'm laying in bed thinking about golf balls the guys play, thinking about pairings. Definitely amped up."
Bradley credits much of his preparedness to his vice-captains, especially Jim Furyk, who brings nine Ryder Cup appearances and prior captaincy experience.
"I have the most incredible vice-captains, including Jim Furyk, who's been on these teams and been captain a bunch of times. Quite frankly, I've been leaning on them more than any other captain ever anyways, even if I'm not playing."
He added: "We're ready for this if it happens. I'm not sure it's going to. I can truly sit here right now and say I don't know what's going to happen. I have to look at myself just like any other player trying to make the team. I'm 10th in points right now, and that's not 6th."
Support from fellow PGA Tour players has also been vocal
Rickie Fowler and Patrick Cantlay have both publicly endorsed Bradley's inclusion as a playing captain.
"I would pick him too," Fowler expressed on Wednesday. "I think it would be hard to find many Americans who would argue that point."
"I don't think you're going to find many Americans that are going to argue that he shouldn't be on the team."
Rickie Fowler thinks Keegan Bradley should pick himself for the Ryder Cup. pic.twitter.com/gpZpX33q1z — Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) August 12, 2025
Cantlay echoed the sentiment, "If I was the captain, I'd pick Keegan. He's played great. If he feels he can handle the responsibilities and still play, he's definitely one of the best American players."
If that was not enough, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler also praised Bradley's leadership.
"He's exceeded my expectations as a captain," Scheffler stated amid the second playoff run. "He's passionate about the Ryder Cup. He cares a lot about us as players. It's been fun watching him develop in this role."
With the Tour Championship and captain's picks looming, Bradley's decision will soon be final.
What do you think would be his decision? Let us know in the comment section below!
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