Keegan Bradley claims Phil Mickelson is 'not interested' in Ryder Cup vice-captaincy: “He’s a captain someday”
Keegan Bradley was officially announced as the Ryder Cup captain for the United States. He will be tasked with forming a team of vice captains and selecting six of the members of the team for the 2025 bout with Team Europe in New York City. Picking the vice captains is one of the first things Bradley have to do.
Despite his departure from the PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson came to Bradley's mind. He wanted the chance to work with the legendary golfer, but Bradley doesn't think Mickelson would want that job.
Via Underdog Golf on X, formerly known as Twitter, Bradley said:
"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 doesn't believe Mickelson will want to join his team for 2025, but he does believe that the captain's role he now inhabits will one day be passed on to Mickelson like it was from Zach Johnson to him.
This is an interesting quote from Bradley. The Ryder Cup's relationship with LIV has been complicated, to say the least. Brooks Koepka was the only player from the rebel tour involved in last year's event.
Additionally, Luke Donald, the winning captain, was in his position after Henrik Stenson was removed after he defected to LIV Golf. The fact that Keegan Bradley was interested in getting an LIV member on his staff at all suggests that the divide in professional golf is reducing every day.
Keegan Bradley will be 'invaluable' at 2025 Ryder Cup, says John Lindert
Keegan Bradley's role as captain of the USA in the Ryder Cup will be to prevent another disappointing outing. The USA was beaten squarely by Europe last year, and it's in Bradley's best interest not to repeat.
There is confidence in Bradley as the new captain, though. In fact, PGA of America president John Lindert believes Bradley will turn the team around. Via ESPN, he said:
"Keegan's past Ryder Cup experience, strong relationships and unwavering passion for this event will prove invaluable as he guides the U.S. team over the next year and a half. We are confident that with Keegan at the helm, the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup team will compete at Bethpage with the same confidence and determination that has defined his career."
Bradley was the choice after Tiger Woods reportedly turned down the role a while ago, citing his role on the policy board.