Keegan Bradley has been named US captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York, the PGA of America announced on Monday after a search process during which they also talked to Tiger Woods about taking the job.
Bradley succeeds twice major champion Zach Johnson as US captain after the latter faced plenty of criticism following the last edition of the biennial event where his squad failed to get the job done against Europe.
“We are confident that with Keegan at the helm, the 2025 US Ryder Cup Team will compete at Bethpage with the same confidence and determination that has defined his career,” PGA of America President John Lindert said in a news release.
Woods, who won the 2002 US Open at Bethpage Black, had been the overwhelming favourite to take over as captain but has been busy off the golf course and previously said he was unsure if he could devote the necessary time the position demands.
For Bradley, who counts the 2011 PGA Championship among his six wins on the PGA Tour, his appointment as captain comes after he was left off the 2023 US Ryder Cup squad in a year in which his six top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour included two wins.
In his two Ryder Cup appearances — 2012 and 2014 — Bradley amassed a 4-3 record.
“My passion and appreciation for golf’s greatest team event have never been stronger,” said Bradley.
“The Ryder Cup is unlike any other competition in our sport, and this edition will undoubtedly be particularly special given the rich history and enthusiastic spectators at this iconic course. I look forward to beginning preparations for 2025.”
Team Europe announced last November that Luke Donald, who led his team to a convincing Ryder Cup victory in Italy last year, will return as captain for the 2025 edition.