Keegan Bradley appointed surprise Ryder Cup captain after Tiger Woods turns down role

Keegan Bradley was unveiled as Team USA’s 2025 Ryder Cup Captain on Monday, a surprise turn of events after Tiger Woods was widely tipped to assume the role.

Keegan Bradley was unveiled as Team USA’s 2025 Ryder Cup captain on Monday, a surprise turn of events after Tiger Woods was widely tipped to assume the role. Six-time PGA Tour winner Bradley was controversially snubbed by Zach Johnson for last year’s beaten team in Rome and will be tasked with avenging that bruising loss to Europe at the 45th edition of the biennial competition at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York. The world No. 19 – who made two appearances as a player at the Ryder Cup in 2012 and 2014 – will be 39-years-old come September next year, making the Vermont native the youngest captain to lead a team at the tournament since Arnold Palmer in 1963. “I am incredibly honored to accept this opportunity to Captain the United States Team at the 2025 Ryder Cup,” 2011 PGA Championship victor Bradley said in a statement to the PGA of America, who decide the captaincy, on Monday. “My passion and appreciation for golf’s greatest team event have never been stronger. The Ryder Cup is unlike any other competition in our sport, and this edition will undoubtedly be particularly special given the rich history and enthusiastic spectators at this iconic course. I look forward to beginning preparations for 2025.” Woods’ name had been frequently linked with the position in the fallout of last year’s defeat, with the 48-year-old telling reporters at May’s PGA Championship that he was in discussions with the PGA of America over taking on the role.