A genius move or a massive mistake? Has the PGA of America’s decision to pick Keegan Bradley as the USA Ryder Cup captain backfired dramatically or was it a masterstroke?
As it looks almost certain now that Bradley will become the first playing captain at the Ryder Cup since Arnold Palmer led Team USA with clubs in hand back in 1963.
Bradley is at a career-best seventh in the Official World Golf Ranking after playing some of his very best stuff this year, and ninth in the race for an automatic Ryder Cup spot.
But could he really succeed as a Ryder Cup playing captain.
Having previously said he’d only play if he qualified outright, his superb victory at the Travelers Championship “changes the story a little bit” according to the man himself, who added his win “opens the door to play”.
And what Bradley’s form has done is open a can of worms over his captaincy. With question marks over whether he can do both roles in this modern day age of huge media commitments.
He says the PGA of America wanted him to make the team, that a plan is in place for his vice-captains to shoulder more of the burden, but should that burden just be taken from him officially?
Has it all been a big mistake or will Bradley prove to be a great American golfing hero? Our team share their thoughts…
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It was a hugely surprising, and questionable, appointment at the time and a year later the decision looks just as bizarre. I would go as far as saying that it should be reversed and the captaincy should now be given to 2024 winning Presidents Cup captain Jim Furyk, who is one of Bradley’s five assistants.
Bradley is World No.7, playing some of the best golf of his career and currently ranks as the 8th-highest American player in Data Golf’s rankings – ahead of Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, JJ Spaun, Jordan Spieth, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland, Robert MacIntyre and Shane Lowry.
If he wasn’t captain he would pretty much be a lock for the team now, especially after his strong Presidents Cup showing in Montreal. If he remains in this form and doesn’t pick himself the team will be weaker without him, and if he picks himself and remains as captain the team could also suffer with him juggling both roles.
I think he needs to focus on being a player only and allow…
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