Keegan Bradley has not included himself as playing captain as he announced his six wildcard picked that will compete for Team USA in next month’s Ryder Cup.
Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay, and Sam Burns have all been selected by the 39-year-old who will join the six automatic qualifiers that were confirmed following the conclusion of the TOUR Championship.
The former PGA Championship winner, who was confirmed as Team USA captain in June 2024, has collected two wins on the PGA TOUR since the announcement and has displayed strong performances this season finishing 11th in the qualification standings but has decided against the player-captain role.
On Thomas, his first pick, Bradley said: “He’s the heartbeat of our team, he had an amazing win at RBC this year, the fifth player in the world. He’s born for this.”
Thomas, reflecting on the selection and the challenge ahead, said: “I’ve developed some unbelievable friendships. We’re battling for each other, not just yourself.”
“I would say to the others to be themselves, they’ve been picked for a reason, be ready and enjoy, it’ll be a crazy and wild week.”
“What I love about playing for USA, what happened last year is what it is, there’s deep competition every year, I really enjoy them.
On Morikawa, his second pick, Bradley said: “He’s one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met, incredible ball striker and will do whatever it takes for us to win.”
Morikawa added: “You have to play great golf, we know what we have to do. You have to hit great shots, make great putts, use everyone around you.”
On Griffin, his third pick, Bradley said: “He’s extremely confident, burst onto the scene, I’m proud of him for making this team, he was consistent, we’re lucky to have him on this team.”
Griffin expressed what the moment meant to him: “It’s the biggest honour of all time, representing the USA, that phone call could have gone either way.
“He voiced early on, good phone calls and bad phone calls, you have to leave no doubt. That call, a lot of emotions and anxiety.”
On Young, his fourth pick, Bradley said: “He’s been fighting so hard for that win, he’s a New Yorker, he won the New York State Open at Bethpage Black, he pounds the golf ball.
“He’s so consistent, we’re proud to have a New Yorker on this team.”
Young expressed his eagerness to embrace the home crowd: “We should have some solid support out there, playing for your country is special, New York is home for me, somewhere I love.
“I can’t wait to get out there. Hopefully I’ll have some support out there.”
On Cantlay, his fifth pick, Bradley said: “One of the greatest pleasures has been getting to know Patrick better.”
“He was born for the Ryder Cup, this is where he thrives, it’s where we need him. We’ll rely on him heavily at Bethpage.”
Cantlay shared what the competition means to him: “They mean everything to me, some of my favourite parts of the year is putting points on the board for my teammates.”
On Burns, his sixth and final pick: Bradley said: “He’s the best putter on the planet, he has extreme competitive fire,” Bradley says of Burns.
“We love to have Sam on our side with that putter.”
On why he decided not to emulate Arnold Palmer and become the first playing skipper in 62 years, Bradley said: “The decision was made a while ago. The last 48 hours, the team was set, it was a really tough decision, there was a point when I was playing,
“These guys stepped up and played their way onto the team, I’m extremely proud of that, it was a difficult decision, but one I’m happy with.”
Luke Donald will confirm his six wildcard picks to finalize Team Europe’s squad on Monday, 1st September.
Team USA Full Lineup
- Scottie Scheffler
- J.J. Spaun
- Xander Schauffele
- Russell Henley
- Harris English
- Bryson DeChambeau
- Justin Thomas
- Collin Morikawa
- Ben Griffin
- Cameron Young
- Patrick Cantlay
- Sam Burns
Team USA will look to regain the Ryder Cup on home soil between 26-28 September in what will be the 45th edition of the biennial team contest taking place at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York.