Bethpage Black, Farmingdale, New York, August 27, 2025
News Summary
Keegan Bradley has announced his captain’s picks for the Ryder Cup, featuring a potent lineup of experienced players and promising newcomers. Notable inclusions like Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa blend seamlessly with rookies such as Ben Griffin and Cameron Young, showcasing Bradley’s strategy to combine match-play veterans with those eager to make their mark. With the 2025 Ryder Cup set for Bethpage Black, expectations are high as Team USA aims to capitalize on their strengths amid the pressures of the competition.
Frisco, Texas — A Ryder Cup roster that’s equal parts seasoned firepower and hungry newcomers has been nailed down, and the golf world is buzzing.
Captain Keegan Bradley unveiled his six captain’s picks at the PGA of America headquarters in Frisco, and the headline grabber is the return of Justin Thomas — selected for his fourth straight Ryder Cup. The 2025 match is set for Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, running from September 26–28, and Team USA is shaping up to be a dramatic mix of veterans who know the ropes and newcomers who are firing hot.
The final twelve
Bradley’s six captain’s picks are: Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay, and Sam Burns. They join the six players who already qualified: Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau. That gives the U.S. a roster blending Ryder Cup staples with fresh faces who’ve broken through on Tour this season.
Why Thomas matters
Justin Thomas brings a legitimate match-play résumé: a career Ryder Cup record of 7-4-2, including an undefeated 3-0-0 in singles. He’s also a two-time PGA Championship winner (2017, 2022) and has taken Player of the Year honors multiple times. Beyond trophies, he arrives as a veteran presence who has been through the Ryder Cup pressure cooker in 2018, 2021 and 2023. His experience at the highest level makes him an obvious pick — and a steadying force for a team with several rookies.
Bradley’s choice to captain, not play
Keegan Bradley opted not to put himself on the roster, a decision made long before the Tour Championship wrapped up. That means he will not become the first U.S. playing captain since 1963. The move was planned, and many inside the game expected he might choose to play given his strong form, but he instead focused on building relationships and strategy from the captain’s chair. That choice raises the stakes for the captain’s picks: if any of the selected players struggle, there will inevitably be chatter about whether the captain might have suited up instead.
Veterans and rookies — the balance
The selection reflects a clear strategy: veterans who thrive in match play plus hungry new faces. Patrick Cantlay, on his third Ryder Cup, offers a 5-2-1 career record and plenty of match-play savvy. Collin Morikawa will be representing the U.S. for the third time, carrying a 4-3-1 Ryder Cup mark. Sam Burns returns after debuting in 2023 and is being slotted in partly because his putting has been a standout this season.
Rookies in the mix include Ben Griffin, who broke out with two PGA Tour victories this season, and Cameron Young, who just notched his first PGA Tour win. Those newcomers bring momentum and fearlessness — the kind of energy that can flip a tightly contested Ryder Cup.
Odds, pressure and expectations
Bookmakers opened the U.S. as a favorite, listed at around -130 heading into the showdown. Odds are just numbers, but they reflect a talent-packed roster and home-course pressures that both help and hurt a team’s chances. Ryder Cup golf has a way of turning form and statistics sideways; the mix of veterans who understand match dynamics and rookies eager to make a mark should make this a compelling U.S. squad.
What the team brings to Bethpage
Expect gritty match-play tactics, plenty of experienced pairings, and a few underdog storylines. The U.S. won in 2021, and the goal is to bring that momentum back to American soil at a brutal course like Bethpage Black — a track that demands length, precision, and nerves of steel. Bradley’s transparent selection process and the players’ public backing of his leadership have set a tone of unity that will be vital when the pressure hits on the weekend.
Quick takeaways for fans
- Justin Thomas returns for his fourth consecutive Ryder Cup, bringing a strong singles record and major-winning pedigree.
- Bradley chose leadership over playing — a deliberate decision aimed at maximizing the team’s potential from the box seat.
- The roster mixes clutch veterans (Cantlay, Morikawa, Thomas) with ride-or-die rookies (Griffin, Young) who bring recent Tour wins and confidence.
- Team USA enters as favorites on paper, but Ryder Cup history reminds fans that anything can happen once match play begins.
FAQ
When and where is the 2025 Ryder Cup?
The Ryder Cup will be held September 26–28, 2025, at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York.
Who did Keegan Bradley pick as captain’s picks?
Bradley selected Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay, and Sam Burns as his six captain’s picks.
Why didn’t Keegan Bradley choose to play?
Bradley decided some time ago to focus fully on captain duties rather than be a playing captain. The decision was deliberate and not a last-minute call.
What is Justin Thomas’ Ryder Cup record?
Thomas has a career Ryder Cup record of 7-4-2, and he is 3-0-0 in singles matches.
What are the team’s betting odds?
At the time of the announcement, the U.S. team was listed as a favorite at roughly -130.
Team Snapshot Table
| Player | Status | Ryder Cup Appearances | Career Ryder Cup Record | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Thomas | Captain’s pick | 2018, 2021, 2023, 2025 | 7-4-2 (3-0-0 in singles) | Two-time PGA Champion; major and Ryder Cup experience |
| Collin Morikawa | Captain’s pick | Three times | 4-3-1 | Strong match-play background |
| Ben Griffin | Captain’s pick | Rookie | — | Breakout season with two PGA Tour wins |
| Cameron Young | Captain’s pick | Rookie | — | Recently earned first PGA Tour victory |
| Patrick Cantlay | Captain’s pick | Third Ryder Cup | 5-2-1 | Match play veteran |
| Sam Burns | Captain’s pick | 2023, 2025 | — | Noted for strong putting this season |
| Scottie Scheffler | Qualified | Qualified | — | Top-ranked player and automatic qualifier |
| J.J. Spaun | Qualified | Qualified | — | Solid season earned qualification |
| Xander Schauffele | Qualified | Qualified | — | Experienced match-play competitor |
| Russell Henley | Qualified | Qualified | — | Steady Tour performer |
| Harris English | Qualified | Qualified | — | Veteran presence |
| Bryson DeChambeau | Qualified | Qualified | — | Big-hitting factor at Bethpage |
Bottom line: This U.S. Ryder Cup squad arrives at Bethpage with muscle, depth and a few bold leaps of faith from the captain. Expect fireworks, pairings drama, and the kind of Ryder Cup intensity that makes every match feel like a playoff hole.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Keegan Bradley Names Final Ryder Cup Roster
Ryder Cup Drama as Captain Considers Self-Selection
Keegan Bradley Considers Playing Captain Role for Ryder Cup
Brooke Henderson Claims Victory at CPKC Women’s Open
Tommy Fleetwood Breaks Chokehold at East Lake
Tommy Fleetwood Claims First PGA Tour Victory
Ryder Cup Drama at Bethpage Black
Ryder Cup Drama Escalates as Captain Considers Picks
Rory McIlroy Struggles at Tour Championship, Eyes Future Tournaments
Keegan Bradley Faces Tough Decision as Ryder Cup Captain
Additional Resources
- CBS Sports: Ryder Cup Team 2025
- Wikipedia: Ryder Cup
- Bleacher Report: Ryder Cup Captains Picks
- Google Search: Ryder Cup 2025
- Golf.com: 2025 US Ryder Cup Captains Picks Announced
- Google Scholar: Ryder Cup History
- Ryder Cup: Keegan Bradley’s Captain’s Picks
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ryder Cup
- The Golfing Gazette: Thomas Reaction to Bradley’s Picks
- Google News: Ryder Cup 2025 Captains News
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.
