A clumsy mistake…
US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley has finalised his six picks to add to the six automatically qualified players for this year’s tournament at Bethpage Black next month.
In one of the most anticipated selections ever, Bradley decided not to pick himself, despite being seen by many as one of the 12 best players available.
The suspense, however, was tempered, as one of the picks, Cam Young, spoiled the final pick.
After each selection, Bradley said a few words about the player before they spoke themselves via video call.
Young was the fourth pick and was asked about his win in the 2014 Junior Ryder Cup, and whether any players on this year’s Ryder Cup side knew about it.
He explained that because Sam Burns was also on the team in 2014, that he would know.
Burns was not yet picked by Bradley, so when it came to the final selection, it was obvious who was going to be named.
The 2025 US Ryder Cup team
Automatic picks: Scottie Scheffler, JJ Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English and Bryson DeChambeau
Captain’s picks: Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns
Justin Thomas spoke about Bradley not picking himself.
He said: “It’s going to be said so many times between now and the end of the Ryder Cup that Keegan did and will continue to do what he thinks is best for the team.
“It’s been a cool process to be a part of as a player. The communication and how transparent Keegan has been isn’t something we’ve experienced before. There were guys that heard things that they wouldn’t be expecting to hear, brutally honest.
“He’s been in those shoes of being in the dark and that’s how he’s approached this captaincy. He wants to do what’s best for the team, communicate everything as well as he can, and I know he’s gutted – all of us are gutted for him.
“But I would say him leading us to victory would be cooler than any experience he could have as a player.”
