Bethpage Black, August 27, 2025
News Summary
In an announcement from Farmingdale, New York, Keegan Bradley has revealed his 12-man U.S. Ryder Cup team for the upcoming tournament at Bethpage Black. The roster includes seasoned match-play veterans alongside rising stars, with six captain’s picks complementing six automatic qualifiers. This balanced team combines experience and fresh talent, creating high expectations as they prepare for the challenges of the Ryder Cup format. Bradley has chosen not to participate as a player, focusing solely on his captaincy to guide his team strategically.
Farmingdale, New York — Keegan Bradley unveils his 12-man U.S. Ryder Cup squad for Bethpage Black
Big roster. Big stage. Big expectations.
Keegan Bradley has locked in his team for the Ryder Cup set for Sept. 26-28 at the brutal Bethpage Black course, and it’s a mix of seasoned match-play vets and hot young stars. Bradley completed his roster Wednesday morning by adding six captain’s picks to the six players who already punched their tickets via the points list.
The final 12-man U.S. team reads like a who’s who of recent PGA TOUR storylines: a cluster of proven performers, a couple of rookies with momentum, and a captain who chose to focus fully on leadership rather than try to play and manage both roles.
Who made the team
- Captain’s picks: Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay, Ben Griffin, Sam Burns, and Cameron Young.
- Automatic qualifiers: Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau.
What stands out
The mix is smart and clearly aimed at cover all bases. There’s heavy match-play experience in Cantlay, Morikawa and Thomas. There’s hot form and course familiarity with players like Young — who notched his first TOUR win at the Wyndham and once set a course record at Bethpage Black as a teenager. There’s also an injected dose of confidence from Griffin, who earned his spot after a breakthrough season with two TOUR victories.
Sam Burns returns after debuting in 2023 and brings elite short-game numbers — he ranked first on the PGA TOUR this season in Strokes Gained: Putting. Patrick Cantlay arrives with solid Ryder Cup match experience and a compelling 5-2-1 record in past appearances. Justin Thomas is the most experienced pick in terms of Ryder Cups, heading into his fourth appearance with a strong match-play ledger. Collin Morikawa is a two-time major champion and a steady presence for a third Ryder Cup. And rookie Cameron Young adds raw power, course history at Bethpage and a first TOUR win to his resume.
The captain’s choice — and a notable absence
Bradley confirmed he will not play on the team, deliberately avoiding becoming the first playing captain since the early 1960s. He prioritized the full-time role of captain, concentrating on strategy, pairings, and the overarching team vibe. A handful of players were on the shortlist for picks but ultimately didn’t make the final cut, including Maverick McNealy, Brian Harman, Andrew Novak and Chris Gotterup.
Format, points and the stakes
The 2025 Ryder Cup follows the familiar three-day setup: foursomes (alternate shot), four-ball matches, and singles matches. There are 28 points available overall and the first team to reach 14.5 points wins the cup. If matches end halved, each side gets a half point, and if the overall event ties, the defending champion retains the cup. The U.S. team will be a heavy favorite at home, led by the likes of Scottie Scheffler, while Europe is shaping up with its own firepower under leaders like Rory McIlroy.
Why this team matters
This squad is a blend of nerves-of-steel veterans and high-octane players who can take the match by the throat on a course that will not give many freebies. Bethpage Black rewards power and accuracy, but it also exposes any wobble under pressure. Expect Keegan Bradley to lean on experience for pairing decisions while peppering in the younger players when sharpshooting or momentum swings are needed.
Bottom line
The U.S. has a balanced team, one that checks most strategic boxes: experience, hot form, putting prowess and course history. Whether that translates to points at Bethpage will come down to pairings, nerves, and who can play clutch golf when the Ryder Cup spotlight is the brightest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the 12 players on the U.S. Ryder Cup team?
The team includes Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, Bryson DeChambeau (automatic qualifiers), and captain’s picks Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay, Ben Griffin, Sam Burns, and Cameron Young.
Did Keegan Bradley include himself as a player?
No. Bradley confirmed he will not play and is focusing solely on his duties as captain.
How many points are available and how do you win the Ryder Cup?
There are 28 points available across three days. The team that reaches 14.5 points first wins. Tied matches award half a point per team, and a tied overall event means the defending champion retains the cup.
What formats are used during the competition?
The event uses foursomes (alternate shot), four-ball matches, and singles matches across the three-day schedule.
Which players were considered but not picked?
Other golfers in the discussion included Maverick McNealy, Brian Harman, Andrew Novak and Chris Gotterup, but they did not make the final 12.
What are some key player storylines to watch?
Watch match-play veterans like Cantlay and Thomas for clutch pairings, Sam Burns for elite putting, Cameron Young for course-specific firepower, and Ben Griffin for his breakthrough-season momentum.
Quick reference table — U.S. Ryder Cup roster at a glance
| Player | How they made the team | Ryder Cup experience / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | Points qualifier | Team leader and one of the top-ranked U.S. golfers heading into the event |
| J.J. Spaun | Points qualifier | Solid TOUR performer who clinched a qualifying spot |
| Xander Schauffele | Points qualifier | Consistent match-play performer and automatic pick via points |
| Russell Henley | Points qualifier | Experienced TOUR pro with reliable ball-striking |
| Harris English | Points qualifier | Steady scorer with prior team competition experience |
| Bryson DeChambeau | Points qualifier | Power player who can dominate tee-to-green at Bethpage |
| Justin Thomas | Captain’s pick | Most Ryder Cup appearances among the picks; strong match-play record |
| Collin Morikawa | Captain’s pick | Two-time major champion and third Ryder Cup selection |
| Patrick Cantlay | Captain’s pick | Experienced competitor with a 5-2-1 Ryder Cup record |
| Ben Griffin | Captain’s pick | Breakthrough season with two TOUR wins and multiple top-10s |
| Sam Burns | Captain’s pick | Returns after 2023 debut; led TOUR in Strokes Gained: Putting this season |
| Cameron Young | Captain’s pick | Rookie, Wyndham Championship winner, set a teenage course record at Bethpage |
Expect pairings and final strategy to be the next big talking point as captains finalize lineups and the course starts to show its teeth. Bethpage Black is a no-nonsense test — and the Ryder Cup rarely rewards anyone who underestimates it.
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Additional Resources
- Ryder Cup Official: Keegan Bradley Announces Captain’s Picks
- ESPN: Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup Squad Announcement
- NBC Sports: U.S. Ryder Cup Team Capsules
- Wikipedia: Ryder Cup
- Google Search: Ryder Cup 2025
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