Keegan Bradley believes there may be extra likelihood of him changing into the primary playing-captain of the Ryder Cup in over 60 years after snatching a dramatic victory on the Vacationers Championship.
A yr to the day that Bradley was provided the position to steer Group USA at Bethpage Black this September, dwell on Sky Sports activities, the 39-year-old claimed an eighth PGA Tour title with an exhilarating one-shot win at TPC River Highlands.
Bradley got here again from three behind with 4 to play to fireplace two late birdies and end one forward of Tommy Fleetwood, who bogeyed two of his final three holes to narrowly miss out on a maiden PGA Tour title.
The win lifted Bradley to a career-high seventh on the earth and contained in the top-10 within the FedExCup standings, with the American accepting that victory will increase the potential for changing into the primary enjoying captain at a Ryder Cup since Arnold Palmer in 1963.
“I mean, listen, this [winning] changes the story a little bit,” Bradley stated in his victory press convention. “I by no means would have considered enjoying if I hadn’t received. This undoubtedly opens the door to play.
“I do not know if I will do it or not, however I actually should take a fairly exhausting have a look at what’s finest for the group and we’ll see. It is nonetheless June, so we have nonetheless received an extended method to go.
“This definitely changes things a little bit, and we’ll all get together and figure out the best way to do this.”
Bradley has beforehand indicated that we might solely think about enjoying within the Ryder Cup if he completed as one of many six automated qualifiers, though he has grow to be more and more open to holding each roles.
“Yeah, it’s insane,” admitted Bradley, who appeared for Group USA within the Presidents Cup final September. “My whole life every year I was out here I wanted to play on the Ryder Cup team, and then this would be the first year where maybe I didn’t want to.
“I simply wished to be the captain and, in fact, that is what occurs! However we’ll see. I will do no matter I feel is finest for the group. Whether or not that is me on the group – this actually adjustments quite a lot of issues.”
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Keegan Bradley holed a exceptional 65-foot birdie on the par-four ninth throughout his Vacationers Championship victory
‘Enormous burden’ for ‘lucky’ Bradley?
Bradley revealed the potential for being a enjoying captain was first mentioned when the PGA of America referred to as him final June to supply the 2025 Ryder Cup position, one thing he nonetheless hadn’t thought-about previous to his continued good type.
“My head was spinning – I didn’t know what they [PGA of America] were talking about, but they knew that that was a possibility and that we would have things in place for that [playing captain],” Bradley admitted.
Keegan Bradley has now received on the PGA Tour in every of the final three seasons
“I’m always trying to be the best that I can be and I feel like I’m playing the best golf of my career right now. A year ago I don’t know if I would have thought I would be seventh in the world, but I certainly thought I would be contending in tournaments.
“When the PGA of America referred to as me, I am pondering I actually need to be on the group. And the very first thing he [Seth Waugh, then CEO of the PGA of America] stated was ‘we would like you to be the primary enjoying captain since Arnold Palmer’, which is a heavy burden.
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Keegan Bradley secured the successful level for Group USA throughout their 2024 Presidents Cup success over the Worldwide Group
“But, you know, I’m also fortunate. If Tiger [Woods] or Phil [Mickelson] or these guys got a captaincy at my age they would have done it the same way. I’ve just been lucky enough to be asked to do this at a younger age.”
When requested on the 18th inexperienced if he needs to be enjoying, Bradley responded with: “Go USA!”. It is nonetheless to be confirmed whether or not Bradley’s position will prolong past his captaincy duties
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