The final leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, the Tour Championship, is the last chance for players hoping to earn a captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup.
But for Keegan Bradley, it’s even more complicated. The 39-year-old isn’t just evaluating others but himself, too.
As the captain, he is weighing whether to name himself as a playing captain for the Bethpage Black battle. Currently, there’s no certainty but pressure.
The eight-time PGA Tour winner fired a bogey-free 64 on Friday at East Lake, climbing into a tie for 14th at 6-under. That round also included a physics-defying moment on the par-3 15th, where his tee shot landed short of the pin, spun back, and rolled into the cup for birdie.
Bradley later defined the shot as “unreal” in a post-round chat with NBC Sports. But that moment also reminded fans, and perhaps Bradley himself, why he’s still in the conversation as one of the best American players.
“I promise you we’re going to make the best decision for the team and it’s going to be controversial either way,” the US Team captain stated on Friday, as quoted by The Associated Press. “I’m ready for it. I know this is the biggest decision of my life.”
“It’s very difficult. … I’m having a really hard time separating right now my captaincy and my playing,” he admitted, per Nuclr Golf on X. “To be honest, I feel like I’m still one of the best players in the world. … I figured the likelihood of being completely out of the picture was probably pretty slim.”
The newest Travelers winner currently sits 11th in the Ryder Cup points standings and 13th in the Official World Golf Ranking. Only Scottie Scheffler has more PGA Tour wins than him in the past year.
Still, Bradley finds himself battling with the Ryder Cup decision.
“We’ve been preparing for this since then. It would be easier if I was top six or way out of it,” he expressed after Round 3 at East Lake. “No matter what decision I make, I’m going to be defined by this decision. If we win, it doesn’t matter what decision I make.”
Bradley’s wish to play the dual role has sparked debate across the golf world.
Rory McIlroy recently said the Ryder Cup is too big for a playing captain, citing the logistical and emotional demands. Former captains like Sam Torrance and Nick Faldo have echoed similar concerns, warning that the dual role could backfire.
The 39-year-old is set to announce his six captain’s picks on Wednesday after flying to PGA of America headquarters in Frisco, Texas. Until then, every swing at East Lake carries weight.
More Golf: Collin Morikawa Makes Ryder Cup Statement At Tour Championship
Read the full article here
