Keegan Bradley admits he is unlikely to captain next year's Ryder Cup despite his “fairytale” return to Team USA with victory in the Presidents Cup.
Bradley won two of three matches as the U.S. earned a convincing 18.5-11.5 win over the International Team in Canada, defeating Si Woo Kim in singles on Sunday. A point confirmed that the United States would extend its unbeaten streak in the biennial competition. competition.
The former Grand Slam champion has been named captain of the 2025 Bethpage Black Ryder Cup and insists the United States' return to the trophy is more important to him than a possible third appearance as a player.
“I don't know how this could happen [playing] Bradley admitted during Team USA's victory press conference that it was always possible. “I will push for that to happen.”
“If I made the team on points I would consider playing, but other than that I wouldn't do it because it's really important to me next year. I don't care about the personal gain of playing in the tournament, I Just care about winning the Ryder Cup.
“I think the best way is to let these boys play football and let them do what they do. I don't think so [playing] It's happening, but we'll see. “
Bradley's journey to winning the Presidents Cup
Bradley was selected as captain after winning the BMW Championship in August, playing in his first Presidents Cup since 2013 and first representing the United States since losing to Gleneagles at the 2014 Ryder Cup. team participates in the competition.
He teamed with Wyndham Clark to defeat Taylor Pendrith and Christiaan Bezuidenhout on the final hole to give Team USA an opening-day sweep. , but on Saturday, the two pairs were defeated 4-3 by Si Woo Kim and Tom Kim in the same format.
Bradley then faced Shi Yu again on the final day, winning four holes in the five-hole contest to lead by three strokes before surviving the final par-4 to win the par-4 victory. Team USA brought the required 15.5 points.
“I'm still trying to figure out how this happened,” Bradley said after the win. “A month ago I hadn’t driven a BMW [Championship]and then we came here and then got the Presidents Cup points. I'm proud of everyone.
“This is a fairy tale. It's almost a movie. I couldn't believe it. You just have to work hard like me and good things will happen.
“It's taken me ten years to get back in that room with these guys. I really take for granted how special these few weeks have been. I've watched a lot of this on TV and not being able to be here really hurts sad.
“The last time I played in one of these tournaments, I was a key point for Team Europe in the Ryder Cup. Fast forward 10 years later and I got to do that. It's really something I'll remember for the rest of my life.”
Is Team USA about to have an important Ryder Cup?
The Americans now turn their attention to next year's Ryder Cup, where they hope to reclaim the trophy from Luke Donald's European team, with Bradley looking to build on Presidents Cup success and win on home soil.
“We’re going to replicate a lot of what Jim Furyk did this week,” Bradley explained. “He created a culture for us that we will bring to Bethpage [Black] I hope a lot of those 12 guys are on that team.
“I've gotten a feel for team rooms. You always hear that the American team rooms aren't great, and this is the best team room I've ever been in. It's the first time I've been in one of those team rooms. I Really, really feel like I belong on this team.
“I've never met more friends than these guys. I'm a little new to this group, but they inspire me because they truly want what's best for each other. When they get into trouble, they want to kill each other. But when they're off the ropes, they care about each other.”
Bradley added at the press conference: “These kids know how important a Ryder Cup year is. I think this is arguably one of the most important Ryder Cups ever in the United States.
“We're going out there to prepare, we're going out there to win the Ryder Cup. I'm going to learn a lot of lessons from Jim, from Tabitha [Furyk’s wife]all vice-captains, and apply that to next year’s team. “
Sky Sports will continue to be the home of the Ryder Cup, with the 2025 edition of the three-day event broadcast exclusively live from Bethpage Black in New York. Stream PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and more with NOW.