New American Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley may have an issue when it comes to selecting LIV Golf stars for his 12-man team.
Bradley, 38, emerged as a prodigy onto the PGA back in 2011, capturing the PGA Championship that year in what was his first professional major tournament. He's had an up-and-down career since and currently sits 21st in the PGA rankings.
Bradley will be unable to visit the LIV UK event this weekend to scout members for his 2025 Ryder Cup team, as he's currently competing in the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota. It is likely to be a familiar issue, with Bradley very much still in the prime of his own playing career.
With PGA Tour events he will be competing in clashing with the LIV Golf schedule, he faces having to snub watching LIV Golf stars in a clear problem in terms of being able to run the role over potential Team USA members. Big names on the rebel tour include the likes of Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Talor Gooch and more.
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Bradley recently confirmed he would be willing to select LIV Golf stars on his team. Speaking at his unveiling, he said: "I want the 12 best players and I don't care where they play. We have a mission to win this tournament, I'm not worried about the LIV stuff."
However, Bradley recently posted a Ryder Cup hype video on his social media channels notably lacking any highlights of LIV-affiliated golfers. Among the omissions was American golfer Bryson DeChambeau is the reigning US Open champion and is already a two-time Ryder Cup champion thanks in part to plenty of clutch putts.
Additionally, Bradley named Webb Simpson as is vice-captain despite rumors linking him to LIV professional and six-time major champion Phil Mickelson. Simpson currently ranks 247th in the World Golf rankings.
"Webb is someone who I have long admired and respected as a competitor and friend,” Bradley said. “Webb will be a valuable member of our leadership team and a trusted resource for me as we prepare for Bethpage Black next September.”
When asked about Mickelson, Bradley remarked : "I haven’t spoken to Phil. I don’t want to speak for him at all. I have nothing but great things to say about Phil and what we did in the Ryder Cup.”
Bradley was notably left off the 2023 Ryder Cup team is dramatic fashion after being named a wildcard by previous American captain Zach Johnson. The events were heavily documented in the second season of the Netflix docuseries Full Swing.
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Bradley was an unlikely selection for the 2025 captain gig . He was in " complete shock " by the appointment following Tiger Woods's rejection of the offer due to "new responsibilities with the tour." Woods is aiding in negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
While Johnson did select LIV Golfer Brooks Koepka for the 2023 team, he overlooked DeChambeau. The American team fell to Luke Donald's European side 16 ½ to 11 ½ despite an impressive showing by Scottie Scheffler.
The 2025 Ryder Cup is set to be played at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York next September.
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