Xander Schauffele predicts the kind of Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley will be, says he will have ‘sort of a mixed bag’
Xander Schauffele lauded Keegan Bradley for his role as the Ryder Cup US Team captain. The reigning PGA Championship winner noted that the 38-year-old will be an intense leader for the American side.
Commenting on the new captaincy announcement ahead of the Genesis Scottish Open, Schauffele noted that Bradley will have “sort of a mixed bag” team. He gave a nod to the new skipper’s passion for the international competition and noted that it’ll be “really interesting and fun to see” in action. The 30-year-old admitted being unaware if Bradley has coached or led any other team as captain.
However, he exuded confidence in his PGA Tour colleague and noted that Bradley is “not going to be afraid to hold a speech with the guys and get everyone going.”
Responding to Keegan Bradley’s US Ryder Cup captaincy role, Xander Schauffele said in a pre-event presser at the Scottish Open on Wednesday (at 1:21):
“He (Bradley) is a very passionate individual and on the course, he's intense. This is how he competes and how he is. I'm sure as a captain, he's going to have sort of a mixed bag. I know he's not going to be afraid to hold a speech with the guys and really get everyone going.
I don't know if he's coached or captained any other teams in his life, whether it's his kids’ teams or something like that, but when someone's really passionate about something they usually do really well.”
Schauffele also stated that Bradley is ‘laidback’ off the course, but would still talk about the sport when in a casual setting like a dinner. The 2020 Olympics winner reiterated that his compatriot loves the sport.
He also opined that Bradley’s age could play a positive role as he is younger than usual captain picks and is close to the current players.
Keegan Bradley expresses wish to be a playing captain
Bradley was introduced as the new US Ryder Cup captain for 2025 on Tuesday. During the announcement, the ace golfer revealed his wish to not just be the American captain but also to play on the team at Bethpage Black in New York.
The 2011 PGA Championship winner claimed that he is ‘still in the prime of his career’ and could make the national side. However, the PGA Tour star clarified that he won’t be picking himself unless he is eligible for the squad.
Keegan Bradley said at his introductory news conference:
“I feel as though I’m still in the prime of my career and can make this team… I’m not going to pick myself. The only way that would happen is if the team was insisting it but even if they did, I don’t see that happening. I want to make the team on points, otherwise I’m going to be the captain.”
It is pertinent to note that Keegan Bradley became the youngest US Team captain since 34-year-old Arnold Palmer led the 1963 Ryder Cup side.