Keegan Bradley aiming to qualify for Ryder Cup as enjoying captain - Golf Information | Golf Journal

Keegan Bradley goals to be a enjoying captain in subsequent yr’s Ryder Cup after admitting he was shocked to be handed the function utterly out of the blue.

Bradley was a shock selection to steer the house facet at Bethpage Black in September 2025 after 15-time main winner Tiger Woods turned it down.

The 38-year-old has instructed Woods he could be “as concerned as he desires to be” and admitted he was uncomfortable that a few of his “idols” had been missed.

Stewart Cink and Fred {Couples}, vice-captains below Zach Johnson in 2023, had been considered as extra seemingly candidates.

“I didn’t have one dialog with anyone about this till I used to be instructed I used to be the captain two weeks in the past,” Bradley stated, with PGA of America president John Lindert revealing that the choice was taken “with no lobbying” simply three days earlier than Bradley was provided the job.

“I felt humorous after the decision as a result of I don’t suppose I reacted in the way in which that they had been anticipating. I used to be in full shock. It was heavy and I used to be a bit bit uncomfortable with a number of the guys, my idols, that had been appeared over for this place and I wanted a second to determine that out.

“However one thing Seth [Waugh, PGA of America chief executive] stated to me was, ‘your quantity was referred to as, it’s time so that you can step up’.”

Bradley performed on dropping sides in 2012 – successful his first three matches with Phil Mickelson – and 2014, and was controversially missed for a wild card final yr having gained twice on the PGA Tour.

The second he was given the dangerous information by Johnson was captured on Netflix documentary “Full Swing”, with Bradley admitting he was “crushed”.

“It took me some time to recover from that, we had been devastated, my entire household,” Bradley stated at a press convention in New York.

“I bleed crimson, white and blue and I used to be thrilled to have the ability to watch these guys and I used to be pulling for them. It was a bizarre feeling figuring out that I might have been there and perhaps helped the staff, however I do know what a tricky determination Zach had.

“I’ve solely been the captain for 2 weeks and I discover myself staring on the ceiling at 2am excited about each single scenario, so I’ve a special perspective now and I’ve nothing however admiration and respect for Zach Johnson.”

Bradley believes enjoying on the PGA Tour along with his potential staff members will assist make up for a scarcity of captaincy expertise however insisted he wouldn’t decide himself.

“I need to play on the staff. I really feel as if I’m nonetheless within the prime of my profession,” Bradley stated.

“I’m not going to select myself. The one approach that may occur is that if the staff was insisting on it. However even when they did, I don’t see that occuring.

“I need to make the staff on factors, in any other case I’m going to be the captain.”

Woods gave a brief assertion which was learn out in the course of the press convention and shall be a heavy favorite to captain the facet at Adare Manor in 2027.

“With my new tasks to the [PGA] Tour, and time commitments concerned, I felt I’d not be capable to commit the time to Workforce USA and the gamers required as a captain,” Woods stated.

“That doesn’t imply I wouldn’t need to captain a staff sooner or later. If and after I really feel it’s the proper time, I’ll put my hat within the ring.”

Bradley stated: “I’ve instructed him he could be as concerned as he desires to be. All of us look as much as Tiger and his opinion means lots to us.

“The general public doesn’t realise how necessary that is to him. He lives and breathes this occasion and I believe it reveals you ways a lot he cares by turning this place down as a result of he didn’t really feel like he might put in what he wanted to.”

Bradley believes his former associate Mickelson has little interest in being one among his vice-captains however will nonetheless captain the facet in some unspecified time in the future regardless of his transfer to LIV Golf, with Bradley completely happy to pick gamers from the Saudi-funded breakaway.

“I’m going to have the 12 finest gamers on the staff. I don’t care the place they play,” Bradley stated.

“We’ve got a mission to win this event. I’m not frightened concerning the LIV stuff. By the point we get to Bethpage in 2025 we’ve no clue how the format of the golf world’s going to be.

“Because it involves going to LIV occasions [which Johnson refused to countenance], if there’s guys which are on the perimeter, I’m prepared to do this.”