, August 27, 2025
News Summary
In a significant decision, Keegan Bradley has announced he will not serve as the playing captain for the U.S. Ryder Cup team, focusing instead on leadership. His roster blends seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, featuring six captain’s picks including Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa. As the youngest U.S. captain since Arnold Palmer, Bradley aims to reshape the team dynamics ahead of the 2025 tournament at Bethpage Black, hoping to turn the tide in favor of the U.S. after recent losses.
Farmingdale — Keegan Bradley Passes on the Playing-Captain Role and Finalizes U.S. Ryder Cup Roster
In a move that feels equal parts pragmatic and dramatic, U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley has confirmed he will not suit up as a playing captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. The decision closes the door on a storyline that had fans buzzing about the possibility of Bradley becoming the first U.S. captain to play since Arnold Palmer in 1963.
What happened and why it matters
Bradley made the call public at a midweek press event and made it clear the choice was made with the team’s best interest front and center. Observers called the move unselfish, and it’s easy to see why. Bradley carries the memory of being left off the 2023 squad, and that experience appears to have shaped his approach: focus on captaincy, not personal glory.
The result is a U.S. side that blends experience and new blood. Bradley used all six of his captain’s picks to lock in a final roster that reads like a who’s who of American golf, with a couple of fresh faces tossed in to stir the pot.
The final six captain’s picks
- Justin Thomas
- Collin Morikawa
- Ben Griffin — Ryder Cup debut
- Cameron Young — Ryder Cup debut
- Patrick Cantlay
- Sam Burns
Four of those six picks bring Ryder Cup pedigree. Griffin and Young will carry the label of rookies in the pressure cooker that is the Ryder Cup — and that’s part of the gas this team will run on.
Automatic qualifiers and team shape
Automatic spots were claimed by:
- Scottie Scheffler
- J.J. Spaun
- Xander Schauffele
- Russell Henley
- Harris English
- Bryson DeChambeau
Scheffler, Schauffele, English and DeChambeau were on the U.S. side that fell in Rome two years ago. Spaun and Henley are making the trip to their first Ryder Cup. Altogether, Bradley’s roster will feature four first-time participants and just six holdovers from the previous U.S. team — a sign Bradley is trying to reshape the vibe and energy heading into Bethpage.
Captain and support staff
Bradley is the youngest U.S. Ryder Cup captain since Arnold Palmer — who was 34 in 1963 — and his selection as captain was partly seeded by the sting of being overlooked as a player in 2023. He says he made the choice to be non-playing well before the announcement, driven by the aim of being the best captain he can be.
Helping him on the touchlines will be a star-studded group of vice captains: Jim Furyk, Kevin Kisner, Gary Woodland, Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker. Furyk is expected to carry significant responsibility in shaping pairings and strategy.
Form, odds and the bigger picture
Bradley ended the season 11th in Ryder Cup standings after touching the top 10 at points during the year — just short of an automatic ticket. The United States heads into the match as a slight betting favorite, listed around -130 on some books.
That favorite tag doesn’t erase history. The U.S. has lost 10 of the last 14 Ryder Cups to Europe, and recent U.S. success has been mostly tied to playing on home soil. This lineup — half familiar veterans, half fresh energy — looks built to try and flip that narrative at Bethpage.
Locker-room vibe and the mission
Bradley framed his roster as a collection of players who stepped up to earn their spots. The mix of gritty veterans and hungry newcomers should produce spark and drama — exactly the ingredients that make the Ryder Cup more than a golf tournament and more like a national sporting event where team chemistry and gutsy moments write the headlines.
Expect battles on the greens, heated pairings, and strategy that leans on experience when the chips are down. With vice captains ready and a captain focused on leadership rather than swinging a club, the U.S. will try to tilt home-field advantage into a long-awaited series victory.
FAQ
Who will be the U.S. Ryder Cup captain in 2025?
Keegan Bradley is the captain for the U.S. Ryder Cup team at Bethpage Black in 2025.
Will Keegan Bradley play as a captain in 2025?
No, Bradley decided not to serve as a playing captain and will instead focus solely on his captain duties.
Who were the six captain’s picks?
Bradley’s six captain’s picks were Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay, and Sam Burns.
Which players automatically qualified?
Automatic qualifiers are Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau.
How many rookies are on the team?
There are four first-time Ryder Cup participants on the U.S. roster: Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, J.J. Spaun, and Russell Henley.
Who are the vice captains?
Vice captains include Jim Furyk, Kevin Kisner, Gary Woodland, Webb Simpson, and Brandt Snedeker, with Furyk expected to play a prominent role.
What are the odds for the U.S. team?
The U.S. enters the event as a modest favorite, listed around -130 on some betting boards.
Quick-reference team table
| Player | How They Qualified | Ryder Cup Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | Automatic | Veteran |
| J.J. Spaun | Automatic | First-time |
| Xander Schauffele | Automatic | Veteran |
| Russell Henley | Automatic | First-time |
| Harris English | Automatic | Veteran |
| Bryson DeChambeau | Automatic | Veteran |
| Justin Thomas | Captain’s Pick | Veteran |
| Collin Morikawa | Captain’s Pick | Veteran |
| Ben Griffin | Captain’s Pick | First-time |
| Cameron Young | Captain’s Pick | First-time |
| Patrick Cantlay | Captain’s Pick | Veteran |
| Sam Burns | Captain’s Pick | Veteran |
Bethpage Black is set for September 26-28, 2025. Expect fireworks, headline-making moments, and plenty of drama as Bradley and his squad try to put the United States back on top.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Keegan Bradley Names Six Captain’s Picks for U.S. Ryder Cup Team
Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup Team: A Mix of Veterans and Rookies
Keegan Bradley Names Final Ryder Cup Roster
Fireworks Spectacle Follows NCSL Summit in Boston
Ryder Cup Drama as Captain Considers Self-Selection
Keegan Bradley Considers Playing Captain Role for Ryder Cup
Carlos Alcaraz Stuns at U.S. Open with Bold Fashion Choice
Brooke Henderson Claims Victory at CPKC Women’s Open
Tommy Fleetwood Wins PGA Tour Championship and FedEx Cup
Tommy Fleetwood Breaks Chokehold at East Lake
Additional Resources
- AP News: Keegan Bradley Passes on the Playing-Captain Role
- Sky Sports: Keegan Bradley Makes Right Choice by Not Playing
- The Independent: Ryder Cup Predictions and Wildcard Picks
- Golfweek: Keegan Bradley’s Role as a Captain
- Wikipedia: Ryder Cup
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
