Ryder Cup 2025: U.S. captain Keegan Bradley does not pick Keegan Bradley with one of his six captain's picks

Keegan Bradley announced his six captain’s picks for the United States’ Ryder Cup team on Wednesday, but the biggest news was a player he left out: himself.

Many golf fans thought Bradley should and perhaps would include himself on the team and become the first captain to play in the event since Arnold Palmer in 1963.

But in the end, Bradley decided to focus on being captain and leave the golf to others.

“It broke my heart not to play; it really did,” he said during a news conference at PGA of America headquarters in Frisco, Texas. “Because you work forever to make these teams. But ultimately, I was chosen to do a job. I was chosen to be the captain of this team.”

Bradley said if he believed the team would be better with him on it, he would have chosen himself. Instead, he said, “I know 100% for certain that this is the right choice and these six guys, again, played so incredibly down the stretch, and made my decision a lot easier.”

The six players Bradley chose for the Sept. 26-28 competition at Bethpage Black are Sam Burns, Patrick Cantlay, Ben Griffin, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas and Cameron Young.

They will join six who qualified based on accumulated points: Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English and Bryson DeChambeau.

Bradley spoke about how difficult it was for him to call the players who did not make the cut, a feeling he has experienced himself. He played in the Ryder Cup in 2012 and ’14 but was left off in 2023, to the surprise of many, including him.

“Monday was tough for me,” he said. “I was alongside the guys who didn’t make the team. I was moping around. I was bummed out. But quickly you realize what a dream it is to be a Ryder Cup captain.”

Bradley, 39, was named captain 13 months ago. Things got complicated because of his strong play on the PGA Tour this year, including six top-10 finishes and a No. 11 world ranking.

When he won the Travelers Championship in June, he started to think he might play after all. But his final ruling was made easier by the fact the six players he chose played well deep into summer.

“That’s something that I’m really proud of, and something that I really wanted,” he said. “It was an extremely difficult decision, but one that I’m really happy with and really happy with these six players. And I’m glad it’s over.”

Rory McIlroy, one of Europe’s stars, recently said he would not want to be a player/captain because it would be too logistically challenging, an opinion Bradley did not consider.

“I just am not worried at all about what they do or say,” Bradley said. “I’m worried about our team. I’m not quite sure he would know it’s not possible. No one’s ever done it [in modern times].

“I’ve said through this process I wish I could call Arnold Palmer and get his advice. [Palmer died in 2016.] The simple fact is the Ryder Cup is a completely different animal than it was in the ‘60s.”

Bradley grew up in Vermont and played at St. John’s. He recalled being an 18-year-old playing at Bethpage Black, making him further appreciate this full-circle moment.

“I know he’s gutted [not to play],” Thomas said. “I think all of us are gutted for him. But at the same time, I would say him leading us to victory will be cooler than any experience he could have as a player, and that’s probably what he feels like is best for us.”

Said Bradley: “I don’t care if I play, don’t play, as long as we win on Sunday . . . It’s strange that [the decision] got so much hype, but the Ryder Cup’s a big deal, apparently.”

By Neil Best

neil.best@newsday.com@sportswatch

Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.