Atlanta – Keegan Bradley said Friday he had a “good idea” that his six captains draft picks will be for the Ryder Cup. Still to be sure one of these draft picks is him.
No one has been the Ryder Cup captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963, except for Bradley, 39, who happens to be the 13th place in the world, only Scottie Scheffler won the PGA Tour victory over Bradley last year.
“I assure you that we will make the best decision for the team, which will be controversial,” Bradley said on the Tour Championship Friday.
“I’m ready,” he said. “I know it’s the biggest decision of my life.”
Bradley, who offered dinners for Team USA’s six automatic qualifiers, invited Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa – No. 7 and No. 8 – which means they will be selected.
This leaves four attractions that may or may not include Bradley’s group.
He had the support of top players even before winning the Travelers title, which Bradley said made sense but got nothing when it came to how his assistant captain filled the 12-man team.
However, it was always on the captain, even on the ropes, especially when approaching. He flew to the PGA headquarters in Frisco, Texas on Tuesday and will announce the draft picks for six captains on Wednesday.
He finished the game with a score of 134 on Friday and finished 14th at the 30-man venue in East Lake Vying, winning the FedEx Cup and its $10 million prize. Bradley said when he saw the rankings, it was the performance of the Americans that caught his attention. He saw the bunker and the plug. He is considering pairing and speaking.
“It’s very difficult,” he said. “It’s hard for me to separate my captain and the game right now.”
Bradley said his draft pick will not be shaped entirely by the Tour Championship, although it could be a mess of plans. He calls the Ryder Cup team a two-year process, rather than a week or round result.
His appointment in July 2024, and the idea immediately emerged with his chance to become captain and play. Bradley said he would only consider participating in the competition if he was qualified at the time. But that was before he won the FedEx Cup playoff game in Denver last August and before he won the signature game at the Travelers Championship in June.
He was not surprised that the decision was now in front of him.
“I honestly feel like I’m still one of the best players in the world,” he said. “I think the possibility of getting rid of the picture completely could be slim. We’ve been preparing for it ever since. If I were six or left the front number of it, it would be easier.”
But his attitude is right, and the decision will not go away regardless of the six draft picks he announced on Wednesday. The only way to avoid a second guess is to get the Americans to win.
“Whatever decision I make, I will be defined by that decision,” Bradley said. “If we win, it doesn’t matter what decision I make.”
