Keegan Bradley has been chosen to lead the United States team in the 2025 Ryder Cup, taking the reins at the iconic Bethpage Black course in New York. The PGA of America announced the decision on Monday, following a selection process that included conversations with Tiger Woods about the captaincy. Bradley takes over from Zach Johnson, who faced criticism after the US team’s disappointing performance in the last Ryder Cup.
PGA of America President John Lindert expressed confidence in Bradley’s leadership, stating that he believes the 2025 US team will compete with the same determination that has characterized Bradley’s career.
Woods, a former US Open champion at Bethpage Black, was initially the frontrunner for the captaincy. However, his involvement in various off-course ventures, including peace talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, and his limited playing schedule led him to decline the position.
Bradley, a six-time PGA Tour winner including the 2011 PGA Championship, has a strong record in the Ryder Cup, amassing a 4-3 record in his two appearances (2012 and 2014). Despite being left off the 2023 US team, he enjoyed a successful season with two wins and six top-10 finishes. He expressed his enthusiasm for the captaincy, emphasizing the unique nature of the Ryder Cup and the significance of the event at Bethpage Black.
While Woods was in discussions with the PGA of America about the captaincy, he ultimately decided that his current commitments wouldn’t allow him to devote the necessary time and energy to the role. He has been heavily involved in the ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, in addition to his limited playing schedule and business ventures.
The 15-time major champion was a natural contender for the captaincy, having participated in eight Ryder Cups as a player between 1997 and 2018. He boasts a record of 13-21-3 in those appearances. Woods also served as player-captain for the 2019 Presidents Cup, leading the team to victory in Melbourne. He has also held the position of captain’s assistant in both the Presidents Cup and the Ryder Cup.
The European team will be led by Luke Donald, who guided his squad to a convincing victory at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy. He will return as captain for the 2025 edition.
