Keegan Bradley is weighing up the ‘decision of his life’ as the clock ticks on the storyline that could define the 2025 Ryder Cup.
The man chosen to lead the US team finds himself in the mix for one of six captain’s selections to complete the team for Bethpage in September as the Americans attempt to win back the Ryder Cup.
See you in New York
US Ryder Cup Qualifying List
1. Scottie Scheffler – Qualified
2. J.J. Spaun – Qualified
3. Xander Schauffele – Qualified
4. Russell Henley – – Qualified
5. Harris English – Qualified
6. Bryson DeChambeau – Qualified
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7. Justin Thomas
8. Collin Morikawa
9. Ben Griffin
10. Maverick McNealy
11. Keegan Bradley
12. Brian Harman
However there is a catch, Bradley is the captain and would have to pick himself and with it become the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963
On Wednesday, Bradley will reveal his six selections to join the automatic qualifiers that were confirmed after the BMW Championship last week.
World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, U.S. Open champion J.J Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English and Bryson DeChambeau have already booked their place on the team.
However a host of big names, major champions and in-form PGA Tour players are hoping to get the call before Bradley faces the world’s media in a press conference.
After shooting a six-under-par second round of 64 at the season ending Tour Championship, Bradley sits just just outside the top 10 and seven shots off the lead held by Tommy Fleetwood and Henley.
Having finished 11th on the qualifying list, he is very much in contention to be on the team and after his round he was asked, not for the first time this year, about the prospect of the decision facing him.
“I am going to be really happy when this week is over. I have about had it with this whole thing,” a brutally honest Bradley said.
“I am ready to figure out what we are doing and get a team together. I am very well aware that no matter what decision I make, I am going to be defined by it.
“If we win, it doesn’t matter what I do. I am fine with that, normally if you win you are the best captain and when you lose you are the worst.
“Every captain has to make tough decisions, this is just a unique one. It is going to be controversial either way but I am ready for it. This is the biggest decision of my life.”
Who will Keegan Bradley pick for the Ryder Cup?
Bradley’s decision is all the more complicated given the names he has to select from.
Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin and Maverick McNealy all finished above him while just beneath him were former Open champion Brian Harman, in-form Andrew Novak and Cameron Young.
Two-time Ryder Cup star Patrick Cantlay and Scheffler’s regular partner Sam Burns also followed to give any captain a headache, let alone one considering picking himself.
Brooks Koepka is a four-time Ryder Cup player, as well as a five time major champion but has played on the LIV Golf circuit for the last three years.
However he finished 76th on the points list, and has not won since August 2024 meaning a captain’s pick – while not impossible – is unlikely.
Luke Donald’s six automatic selections will be confirmed after this weekend’s British Masters.
Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Tyrrell Hatton already on the plane to New York.
Shane Lowry – who carded a brilliant 63 on Friday in Atlanta to move into contention – is in the final qualifying place, but the Tour Championship does not carry points.
Like Lowry, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Aberg and Harry Hall cannot do anymore and will be relying on a captain’s pick
It means Rasmus Hojgaard can overtake him with a top 30 finish at the British Masters and leave Donald considering his own options, that include LIV Golf individual champion Jon Rahm who is considered a lock for a captain’s pick.
Who will win the FedEx Championship?
Bradley is seven shots behind the leaders at East Lake heading in to the weekend, with Fleetwood in contention for a third week in succession as he chases a first ever win on the PGA Tour.
It is a win that would land the champion on Sunday a $10million share of the $40million prize pot that is on offer.
Young leads the chasing pack on -11, two shots behind the leaders, while Robert MacIntyre and Patrick Cantlay are one shot further back.
Scheffler is in sixth place, just five shots off the lead as he chases a remarkable fifth win of the season and third in his last four starts.
Leading the way
Tour Championship - after two rounds
-13 Tommy Fleetwood, Russell Henley
-11 Cameron Young, Robert MacIntyre
-10 Robert MacIntyre, Patrick Cantlay
-8 Scottie Scheffler
-7 Shane Lowry, Chris Gotterup, Sam Burns, Rory McIlroy, Ben Griffin, Akshay Bhata, Justin Thomas