Keegan Bradley becomes the YOUNGEST U.S. Team Captain for 2025 Ryder Cup

Tiger Woods was expected to take the role - however, he opted out due to ongoing PGA Tour commitments.

Keegan Bradley becomes the YOUNGEST U.S. Team Captain for 2025 Ryder Cup

Keegan Bradley (Image via IMAGO)

Keegan Bradley, 38, will captain the United States’ Ryder Cup team in 2025. He will be the United States’ youngest captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963. Bradley’s nomination deviates from convention, as he has never served as an assistant captain.

Tiger Woods was initially expected to take the role, but he opted out due to ongoing PGA Tour commitments. Bradley competed in the Ryder Cup in 2012 and 2014. He compiled a 4-3-0 record. It is worth noting that he hosts an annual event at Bethpage Black.

YouTube video

Bradley’s nomination was a break from the customary older captains. Many had expected Woods to take up the position.

FS Video

Bradley’s absence from the 2023 Ryder Cup team sparked controversy. He won two PGA Tour tournaments and finished higher than a few chosen players. In 2023, the United States squad fell against Europe. This stretched their losing skid in overseas Ryder Cups to 30 years. Bradley’s captaincy signals a difference in the United States team’s leadership style.

2025 Ryder Cup Schedule

The 2025 Ryder Cup will be held on September 25-28, 2025 at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York. Bethpage Black will host the Ryder Cup for the first time, becoming only the second New York course to do so after Oak Hill Country Club.

Keegan Bradley
Keegan Bradley (via IMAGO)

The format will include a total of 28 matches: eight four-ball matches, eight foursomes matches, and twelve singles matches. The U.S. team captain will be able to customize the course, maybe making it play more like a U.S. Open, with tight fairways and dense rough.

Keegan Bradley aside, Former USA Ryder Cup captains

The Ryder Cup is a biannual team match between the United States and Europe, hence there is no money. The players fight for the honor of their team and country, not for individual prize money.

The United States and European teams will be chosen via a points system, with some captain’s choices completing each roster.

Here is the list of former USA Ryder Cup captains:

  • 2023: Zach Johnson
  • 2021: Steve Stricker (w)
  • 2018: Jim Furyk
  • 2016: Davis Love III (w)
  • 2014: Tom Watson
  • 2012: Davis Love III
  • 2010: Corey Pavin
  • 2008: Paul Azinger (w)
  • 2006: Tom Lehman
  • 2004: Hal Sutton
  • 2002: Curtis Strange
  • 1999: Ben Crenshaw (w)
  • 1997: Tom Kite
  • 1995: Lanny Wadkins
  • 1993: Tom Watson (w)
  • 1991: Dave Stockton (w)
  • 1989: Raymond Floyd
  • 1987: Jack Nicklaus
  • 1985: Lee Trevino
  • 1983: Jack Nicklaus (w)
  • 1981: Dave Marr (w)
  • 1979: Billy Casper (w)

In case you missed it: