Keegan Bradley aims to become playing captain at next year's Ryder Cup after admitting he was surprised to be handed the role out of blue.
Bradley was the surprise choice to lead the home team at Bethpage Black in September 2025 after 15-time major winner Tiger Woods declined.
The 38-year-old told Woods he could “be as involved as he wants” and admitted he was uncomfortable that some of his “idols” were being ignored.
Stewart Cink and Fred Couples, the vice captain under Zach Johnson in 2023, were considered potential candidates.
“I didn't have one conversation with anyone about this until I was told I was captain two weeks ago,” Bradley said, with PGA of America president John Lindert revealing the decision was made “without persuasion” three days ago. Bradley was offered a job.
“I felt funny after the call because I don't think I reacted the way they expected. I was completely shocked. It was difficult and I was uncomfortable with the other boys, my idols, who were considered in this position and I needed a moment to figure that out.
“But there's Seth [Waugh, PGA of America chief executive] he said to me, 'your number has been called, it's time for you to go up'.”
Bradley played undefeated in 2012 – winning his first three matches with Phil Mickelson – and 2014, and was not seen on the wild card last year with two wins on the PGA Tour.
The moment he was given the bad news by Johnson filmed for the Netflix documentary “Full Swing”, Bradley admitted he was “crushed”.
“It took me a while to get over that, we were devastated, my whole family,” Bradley said at a press conference in New York.
“I bled red, white and blue and I was happy that I was able to watch these guys and I was pulling for them. It was a strange feeling knowing that I could have been there and maybe helped the team, but I know it was a tough decision for Zach.
“I've only been captain for two weeks and I find myself staring at the ceiling at 2am thinking about it all the time, so I have a different perspective now and I have nothing but admiration and respect for Zach Johnson.”
Bradley believes playing on the PGA Tour with his teammates will help with his lack of experience as a captain but insisted he will not choose himself.
“I want to play in the team. “I feel like I'm still at the top of my career,” Bradley said.
“I will not choose myself. The way it could have happened if the team persisted. But even if they do, I don't see that happening.
“I want to make the team with points, otherwise I will be the captain.”
Woods gave a short statement which was read out during the press conference and he will be a strong favorite to captain the team at Adare Manor in 2027.
“With my new duties at [PGA] “The tour, and the time commitment involved, I realized I wouldn't be able to devote time to Team USA and the players needed as a captain,” said Woods.
“That does not mean that I will not want to be the captain of the team in the future. And if I think it's the right time, I'll put my hat in the ring.”
Bradley said: “I told him he can enter as he wants. We all look up to Tiger and his opinion means a lot to us.
“The public doesn't realize how important this is to him. He lives and breathes this event and I think he shows how much he cares by turning down this position because he felt he could put in what he needed.”
Bradley believes his former partner Mickelson is not interested in being one of his vice-captains but will still captain the club at some point despite his move to LIV Golf, with Bradley happy to have chosen the Saudi-backed club's players.
“I will have the best 12 players in the team. “I don't care where they play,” Bradley said.
“We have a task to win this competition. I'm not worried about the LIV stuff. By the time we get to Bethpage in 2025 we have no clue what the golf world will look like.
“Like going to LIV events [which Johnson refused to countenance]if there are young boys, I'm willing to do that.”
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