Losing the 2025 Ryder Cup on home soil might end up being the jolt Team USA needs if it leads to real changes in how they prepare for the event.
It’s been more than 30 years since Team USA last won a Ryder Cup in Europe. Bryson DeChambeau was born just as Tom Watson’s team were getting ready to claim victory at The Belfry.
The trips across the Atlantic in 2014, 2018 and 2023 have ended miserably. So following Keegan Bradley’s side’s loss in New York, there will be real concerns that Adare Manor could prove to be the site of another humbling loss in two years.
U.S. Captain options starting to emerge
So who are the likely candidates for a captaincy role that comes with pressure not seen since Curtis Strange took over after six straight defeats back in 2001?
“If you look at my overall track record as a player and what I’ve done from an international perspective, it stacks up against anybody,” DeChambeau said.
Ryder Cup fans unhappy with choice to lead Team USA in 2027
Many expect Tiger Woods to step into the role, but he declined the opportunity before Bradley was appointed for Bethpage. Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson has said his time with the Ryder Cup is done. His last involvement came as a vice-captain in 2021.
Bradley’s spell in charge didn’t go as hoped, but speaking on Straight Facts Homie, Colt Knost said he’d back giving the 39-year-old another shot.
“I think it’s Tiger’s if he wants it. It takes a lot of time away from you. Tiger’s a busy guy. I would just like to see this, and it’s probably not going to be very popular, but give Keegan another go. I think he learned so much in this first one,” Knost said.
“I think this is a thing that [Europe] do. I have heard when they developed their whole team to get ready for the Ryder Cup, they have basically decided a rookie captain will not captain on the road. That is their thing for Europe because it is just so overwhelming; it’s just different.”
Knost pointed out how Donald adapted quickly after taking over late in Rome and then delivered again at Bethpage.
Knost believes Bradley will be better prepared if given another chance: “Keegan made some mistakes. He knows he did. I think he’ll be ready.”
He also questioned whether putting a new face in charge was wise: “I just think it’s a big risk… Fred Couples has been a Presidents Cup captain, Justin Leonard hasn’t, but I think it would be very difficult for a rookie captain to go over there with everything that’s been going on with losing eight of the last 11 or whatever it is.”
Why Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup story isn’t over yet
Bradley’s appointment would also make history, as he’d be the first American to captain back-to-back Ryder Cups against Europe.
Since 1979, only three men have captained Team USA more than once. Jack Nicklaus split his two appearances, winning in 1983 but losing in 1987 at Muirfield Village.
Davis Love III helped erase some of the pain from Medinah 2012 by guiding his side to victory at Hazeltine in 2016. But Tom Watson’s appointment for Gleneagles remains a head-scratcher, considering how out of touch he seemed with the modern game by that point.
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Bradley was one of those who clashed with Watson during that stint. You’d think he would’ve drawn on that experience when leading his own team at Bethpage, though the results didn’t show it.
But as a player, Bradley is still performing well and should be right in the mix to play or captain again when Adare Manor comes around in 2027.
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