The 2025 Ryder Cup will see the 6-time PGA Tour winner and two-time Ryder Cupper, Keegan Bradley representing the USA as the captain of the team. The PGA of America’s President John Lindert announced recently that Bradley was chosen as captain for the 45th Ryder Cup, held at the iconic Bethpage.

From missing out on the 2023 Ryder Cup team despite winning twice that year to being at the helm for the 45th edition, Bradley’s participation in the Ryder Cup has been a rollercoaster ride. His exclusion from the 44th Ryder Cup stung deeply, as seen in the Netflix docuseries, Full Swing. Bradley told Sports Illustrated that he anticipated not being selected due to the close-knit relationship between other Team US members and Zach Johnson, but still, it was a difficult news to digest.

Regardless, Bradley will now lead the twelve best players from America in their quest for victory against Team Europe following their crushing defeat in Marco Simone, Italy. His passion for the Ryder Cup is well known and it is expected that the team would follow his suit. Unlike Johnson, the reaction of the golf community to Bradley’s selection has been relatively positive.

However, not everyone was truly satisfied by the decision of PGA of America. The fans had many suggestions of who they thought would be a better fit to lead Team USA to victory in the upcoming Ryder Cup.

Golf fans share their choices of the U.S captain and it is not Keegan Bradley

Many in the golf world had high expectations that the PGA of America would choose, Phil Mickelson as the captain for the 45th Ryder Cup. However, as revealed the reality is different. Moreover, Lefty had picked himself from the list too as he described himself as a divisive character in the current scenario and not fit for the role. Regardless, the fans still expected to see the now LIV pro one way or another. As this user demanded, “Let’s go all in. Either pick Phil or make him an assistant captain. We need this.” 

Was Keegan Bradley the most deserving of all to captain Team USA? Looking back at Bradley’s record at the Ryder Cup, the PGA Tour star has been part of only two editions (2012 and 2014)- America lost both times – he has a record of 4-3-0 through them and last time he played the singles, Bradley lost to Jamie Donaldson. Indeed, the 38-year-old doesn’t have as rich a record as other suggestions like Mickelson or Tiger Woods. Thus, it prompted this fan to say, “You think a contemporary, that doesn’t have the resume or length of service usually associated with that pick will inspire,or get on guys ? Not a chance. I like Keegan and admire him for taking the opportunity, but he is set up for failure. You go from Lefty,to Tiger, to Keegan?” 

Last year, Bradley couldn’t make the captain’s pick after players like Justin Thomas, and Jordan Spieth were chosen. But this year, it might not be the case or shouldn’t be. Both Spieth and Thomas have been struggling on the PGA Tour and have not won any event in the last two years. Moreover, the duo has collectively missed nine cuts between them, making them not an ideal choice. Hence, this fan commented, “If he nominates JT and Spieth we riot.” 

Zach Johnson received huge flak from the golf community after Team US lost to Team Europeans with an 11.5-16,5 scoreline and showed a lack of camaraderie among them. There were also speculations about Johnson making the team on the basis of his friend group rather than the performances. Even Bradley had pointed out the close friendship Johnson had. But as the captain has changed, the fans now want a variety of members in the team. One fan suggested, “Keegan- pick Lucas Glover- right the wrong.” 

For the longest time, Woods was expected to be the 2025 Ryder Cup captain. However, because of time constraints and his other commitments, the 15-time major winner did not take up the captaincy role. And with Lefty also out of the picture, the 2023 Ryder Cup vice-captain had shared that he wanted to be the next choice. He had said, “I do want to be the captain and think I can be.” Well, that dream has been shattered and left not just Cink but this user disappointed as well. They frustratingly said, “Bad idea. He’s not all buddy buddy with some of our top 20 guys. It should have been Cink hands down.”

Nonetheless, the captain has been chosen and the team will be made by the next year, after looking at the performances in the 2024 season. Regardless of the fans’ demands, Bradley will remain as the leader and what matters now is if his picks for the 2025 Ryder Cup will bring the prestigious trophy home.