Keegan Bradley has made significant decisions regarding his role and selections for Team USA in the upcoming Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. He has officially named Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay, and Sam Burns as his six captain’s picks. Notably, however, Bradley has opted not to include himself as a player in this year’s lineup, choosing instead to focus solely on his role as captain, a role he has held since being appointed in June.
Bradley’s decision comes after a series of impressive performances on the PGA Tour, with notable victories including his triumph at the 2024 BMW Championship and then again at the Travelers Championship in June. Despite finishing 11th in the Ryder Cup qualification standings, he maintained a determination to participate only if he secured one of the automatic qualifying spots. Those coveted places ultimately went to players like Scottie Scheffler, JJ Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau.
As a result, Bradley, now 39 years old, took the time to consult with his vice-captains before finalizing his selections. He conveyed his thoughts on the decision, stating, “I felt really comfortable with the guys, extremely comfortable and I feel like I could best serve the team this way.” He emphasized that his priority is not whether he plays or not but rather the team’s success on the final day of competition.
Among the selections, Justin Thomas stands out as a veteran presence, often referred to as the “heartbeat of the team.” This will mark Thomas’s fourth consecutive appearance at the Ryder Cup, a testament to his consistency and value, even though he narrowly missed out on an automatic qualifying position following a strong season highlighted by his win at the RBC Heritage.
Collin Morikawa has also been included, despite having faced some recent form challenges. In contrast, Ben Griffin will be making his Ryder Cup debut, which is particularly noteworthy as he has showcased his talent by winning twice on the PGA Tour during this season, indicating he is a player to watch.
Cameron Young joins the team as a rookie as well, following his significant win at the Wyndham Championship, which occurred in his home state. Patrick Cantlay, on the other hand, is returning for his third consecutive Ryder Cup appearance, although his recent lack of a worldwide victory since the 2022 BMW Championship raised some eyebrows. Lastly, Sam Burns, who was part of the successful 2023 Ryder Cup team and held the distinction of being the only unbeaten American player in their Presidents Cup win last September, rounds out Bradley’s roster.
Bradley’s pride in his chosen team was palpable as he stated, “I am immensely proud to select these six players for the Ryder Cup team. All six are incredibly talented and deserving of a spot on our team.” He highlighted the strong blend of experience from Ryder Cup veterans and the fresh energy from the rookies, suggesting that their diverse strengths would be instrumental in their quest to reclaim the Cup next month at Bethpage Black.
On the other side of the competition, Team Europe has already secured their six automatic qualifiers: Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Rasmus Hojgaard, and Tyrrell Hatton. Luke Donald, Team Europe’s captain, is set to announce his captain’s picks shortly.
As the Ryder Cup approaches, the only remaining PGA Tour event before the competition is the Procore Championship in California, scheduled from September 11-14. This event will be a crucial opportunity for many members of Bradley’s team as they prepare to compete on an international stage, aiming to provide an exhilarating showdown at Bethpage Black.
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