For Keegan Bradley, the last few years have been nothing but dramatic. In 2023, he received a devastating phone call from Zach Johnson that confirmed his snub from the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Skip to the next year, and Johnson once again hit the American golfer, but this time with good news. “I was getting ready to deliver a bomb,” said Johnson in Full Swing 2. But Keegan Bradley’s happy news was going to be shared with the whole golf world, including his fellow Tour players.

Speaking on the latest episode of Golf’s Subpar on Spotify, Keegan Bradley shared a lighthearted take on his new role as Ryder Cup captain, revealing that PGA Tour pros have been “b**t-kissing” him since taking the helm. Bradley joked that some players suddenly want to be his best friend, with one player even hugging him after 15 years of barely speaking. “Yeah. I had one player come and give me a hug that I hadn’t talked to in 15 years on the tour when it first happened.” While we don’t have any details regarding this one player, we will wait for Bradley to reveal his name in the coming days. When asked if he was being sweet-talked by his golfers, Keegan Bradley couldn’t help but chuckle and agree, “There’s certainly some.”

Despite the extra attention, Bradley seems to be taking it in stride, enjoying the opportunity to get to know players like Akshay Bhatia, who could potentially be on the team. “And I’ve gotten to know players like Akshay and other players that are potentially going to be on the team. And it’s something that I’ve really enjoyed,” Bradley said.

But the golf fans couldn’t help but assume that, being the U.S. team’s Ryder Cup captain, Bradley probably witnesses “auditions” of golfers trying to make it on the team. However, despite his light-hearted approach so far, Bradley was quick to dismiss this idea, especially regarding Bhatia. “Akshay is one of the rising stars of the tour, and he didn’t need an audition for me,” Bradley said. “He’s a great player, and I want him to go out there and do his best. His resume speaks for itself.” Bradley’s relaxed approach to captaincy has allowed him to focus on what really matters—building relationships with his players and helping them perform at their best.

In his 6 years of turning pro, Bhatia has won twice on the PGA Tour. His latest win was the 2024 Valero Texas Open. He has been slowly rising with finishes like T3 at PLAYERS, and runner up finishes at Genesis Invitational and Mexico Open. If Bhatia continues to put forth a resilient show, Bradley might make him a member of the squad for Bethpage.

Bhatia and Bradley also showed a good bond with the latter complimenting his outfit, “Well, Akshay, I want to ask you about last week… you got the Augusta National hoodie that they do not sell in the merch shop at the Masters.” Bhatia rocked an exclusive Augusta National hoodie not sold in the merchandise shop.

When Keegan Bradley’s name was suggested as the U.S. team’s Ryder Cup captain, the PGA of America President John Lindert called him “a slam dunk.” Fans were also shocked to see Bradley being picked as the skipper for the 2025 Ryder Cup.

Why is Keegan Bradley such a good choice for the 2025 US Ryder Cup team?

Keegan Bradley’s appointment as the US Ryder Cup captain is being hailed as a no-brainer or as this pro golfer said, “Keegan checked a lot of boxes, and his passion for the game, his passion for the Ryder Cup, is evident,” said PGA of America President John Lindert, explaining why Keegan Bradley was chosen as the 31st captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Bradley’s local connection to the event’s location, Bethpage State Park, and the overwhelming support he received from the community and New York City likely played a role in the decision. The selection process was surprisingly swift, with the committee reaching a decision in just four days.

Bradley’s Ryder Cup experience, including appearances in 2012 and 2014, and his 2011 PGA Championship win at Atlanta Athletic Club, likely contributed to his “slam dunk” selection, despite having no prior experience as a vice captain. At just 38, he’s the youngest captain since Arnold Palmer took the reins in 1963, but with a wealth of experience to draw upon. Bradley’s own Ryder Cup credentials are impressive, with two appearances and a strong record, plus a Presidents Cup stint where he proved himself to be a valuable team player.

His golfing heritage is also undeniable, coming from a family with a deep passion for the sport – his dad was a PGA teaching pro, and his aunt, Pat Bradley, is a Hall of Famer with six major titles under her belt.  It’s clear why Bradley’s peers have faith in him – he’s a talented player with a major win under his belt, and a natural leader. His appointment is a nod to his playing experience, leadership qualities, and deep understanding of the game. With Bradley at the helm, the US team is in good hands.

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