$300,000,000 LIV star Phil Mickelson reacts to Keegan Bradley being named the US Ryder Cup captain
Keegan Bradley is going to be the next Team USA Ryder Cup captain. Phil Mickelson likely won't be involved since he's not going to play and might not be a vice-captain, but he is thrilled to see his former tourmate get the role he deserves.
Mickelson said (via NUCLR GOLF):
"I was surprised at the pick. And I think it's a great pick, the more I think about it. He's played a lot of golf at Bethpage, he went to St. John's. His passion for the Ryder Cup is greater than just about any player I've ever seen. His love for the Ryder Cup is more than anybody I know."
Mickelson believes Bradley will lead his golfers with that passion and will be "incredible." He claimed most people in the golf world are quite pleased for Bradley as well.
Mickelson also acknowledged the elephant in the room. Bradley was passed up for a spot on the team for the Ryder Cup last year, something Mickelson, who is worth $300 million (according to Celebrity Net Worth), said was "gut-wrenching."
That gut-wrenching miss led to a full-circle moment for Bradley and the USA. He got a call last year from Zach Johnson, who had to break it to him that he wouldn't be a captain's selection despite ranking in the top 12.
This year, Johnson personally called to deliver the news that Bradley would be replacing him as captain. Two phone calls from the same person ended up with very different results.
Keegan Bradley heralds Phil Mickelson as future captain
Keegan Bradley is the current Ryder Cup captain for 2025 and it's his turn to name vice-captains and players. Naturally, Phil Mickelson is a candidate, but Bradley doesn't think he would want that job.
Bradley said (via Underdog Golf):
"I still have a great relationship with Phil (Mickelson). I don't think he's interested in being a vice captain. To be honest with you, he's a captain someday."
Bradley isn't expecting to get any assistance from Mickelson, who is proud of Bradley for getting the role, but he does believe involvement with the Ryder Cup at the highest level is in Mickelson's future.
This marks a change in the perception of LIV Golf. In 2023, just one player from LIV, Brooks Koepka, was named to either side. They were not barred from competing, but they were very underrepresented.
Additionally, Luke Donald, the European captain, stepped into the role after Henrik Stenson was relieved of his duties because he went to LIV. The fact that Bradley considered Mickelson and that he thinks Mickelson will contribute one day is a stark change in the thinking about LIV and its players.