“The thing is, those guys are close,” said a disappointed Keegan Bradley last season. Despite winning the Zozo Championship and the Travelers Championship, his fate for being selected for Team US in the 2023 Ryder Cup was left in the hands of former Ryder Cup US Captain Zach Johnson, who picked Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, and Justin Thomas, leaving Bradley out of the squad.

The worst part? All of them had fewer points than he did. He often called himself an outsider to golf. Cut to 2024, the 38 year old pro was chosen to lead the US team for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. Does this mean that he is not on talking terms with Justin Thomas, who was earlier the captain’s pick?

Justin Thomas sees the hunger in Keegan Bradley

A few days ago at the Genesis Scottish Open, PGA Tour Pros were asked about how they felt about Keegan Bradley being the captain of the Ryder Cup US Team. Among them were Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele, and Jordan Spieth. Thomas himself was on the committee that chose Bradley as the captain. Taking to his own decision, JT began by saying, “He’s gonna be great.”

Keegan Bradley has been a part of the US team in two of the editions (2012, and 2014). He was also there at the 2013 Presidents Cup. However, they could not win the trophy any of the years. This is all the more reason that Bradley is hungry to get hold of the trophy.

Thomas added, “I don’t think anybody can doubt or question his passion or His intensity and fire. As a player, I want a captain or someone that I’m going to battle for and battle with, but I also feel like, you know, they’re going to want as bad as I do. And I think we all know Keegan’s intensity and he’s going to want it.” Thomas also added that Bradley has been playing with them at the ‘highest level every single week,’ will all the more help him in understanding his teammates.

JT sees Bradley’s age as an asset, a chance to bring in fresh enthusiasm into the team. The trust appears to be a two-way street, with Bradley just as confident in JT’s skills as a golfer.

Keegan Bradley called Justin Thomas ‘one of the best players’ on the team

Last year, Keegan Bradley had an overall record of 4-3-0 at the Ryder Cup. After his win at the Travelers, he was certain that he would surely be brought into discussion. But, despite having two wins, and only five missed cuts, he could not convince Zach Johnson for a spot in the team. Although he was sad about not being able to represent the US, he gave a rather startling confession about JT.

“If I was the captain, I would have picked [Thomas] as well,” said Bradley. The 2X PGA Championship winner holds a Ryder Cup record of 6-2-1. Back in 2018, he also defeated Rory McIlroy in the opening singles match. The new captain had even said, “He’s one of the best players in the last decade, and he has something other players do not.”

What are your thoughts on the new captaincy of the US Ryder Cup team? Do you think they will be able to take back the trophy this year? Let us know in the comments section below!