It came out to be unexpected, and it was surely unexpected. Everyone in the golf world predicted Tiger Woods to take the captaincy for the 2025 Ryder Cup for the USA. However, it was Keegan Bradley, who took over the mantle, this time around. But still, it seems the 6-time PGA Tour winner had been more than ready to take on the leadership.

The US Team’s manager, John Wood, sat for an exclusive interview with the Sirius XM PGA Tour radio’s Michael Breed and shared what has been going on behind the curtains for the 2025 Ryder Cup. Breed asked Wood if Team US was looking to emotionally connect. Wood affirmed that’s how Bradley’s personality is. And, during the captaincy announcement, he realized he was an amazing leader. Wood further explained that the PGA Tour pro was prepared for everything and knew exactly what he wanted to do for the team as if he had been planning for it for five years.

Talking about the ‘family’ like camaraderie for the American team, Wood revealed Bradley wants the family feeling for the 2025 Ryder Cup as it brings more energy into the team and increases the intensity of the historical cup. Woods added, “When you start pulling for other people as hard as you’re pulling for yourself, that’s when it gets special and that’s Keegan’s goal for this team.”

At first, Bradley taking the captaincy of the 2025 Ryder Cup was shocking because the pro has been part of the team only two times in his career, once in 2012 and again in 2016. But, with Wood vouching for his leadership skills, it seems Bradley would do an exceptional job leading Team USA to victory in Bethpage.

And not only Woods who has shown support for Bradley’s captaincy, 2-time major winner Xander Schauffele has also shown confidence in his leadership skills, though he was a bit surprised with his appointment.

Xander Schauffele is optimistic about Keegan Bradley’s captaincy

During the Genesis Scottish Open press conference, Xander Schauffele revealed that he was surprised to hear about Keegan Bradley’s captainship as he isn’t that older, and usually, an old captain, leads the team. However, he was eager to know about the possibilities it would open in the future.

Schauffele was optimistic Bradley’s passion for the course would work in his favor and probably make him a better captain. He added, “I’m sure as a captain he’s going to have sort of a mixed bag. He won’t be afraid and will get everyone going.” Given his expertise, Schauffele predicted that Bradley would keep them in check with a proper time for practicing, which would eventually help them win.

Will Bradley’s captaincy avail the Americans to take their redemption from the Europeans at Bethpage? Americans will probably seek revenge, driven by Bradley’s passion and the confidence of the future team in their leader.