Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley teamed up for the 2014 Ryder Cup.
Harry How/Getty Images
The shocking news of Keegan Bradley's ascension as US Ryder Cup captain reverberated throughout the golf world this week. It was a popular title at the PGA Tour-DP World Tour co-sponsored Genesis Scottish Open. But it also headed south, to Sotogrande, Spain.
There, the stars of LIV Golf were preparing for the LIV Golf Andalucia event at the Real Club Valderrama, and they were not interested in the dramatic development of the Ryder Cup.
Among them were undoubtedly two of LIV's top players, both of whom were members of the US Ryder Cup: Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson and US Open holder Bryson DeChambeau.
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Both players were pleased with the selection, with Mickelson noting that his reaction quickly changed from surprise to delight.
“I was surprised by the selection, and I think it's pretty good when I think about it,” Mickelson said Wednesday at a pre-tournament press conference. “He played a lot of golf in Bethpage when he went to St. His passion for the Ryder Cup is more than any player I have ever seen. His passion for the Ryder Cup is more than anyone I know. I think he's going to lead with that kind of love.”
Mickelson also commented on how happy Bradley was considering the captain's appointment that kept him out of the US Ryder Cup team last season.
“I think you're amazing. I'm really happy for him. “I think we're all very happy for him knowing how much it hurt not to be part of the team last year, but now to have the opportunity to lead and move forward I think is great,” said Mickelson.
DeChambeau, who sat next to Mickelson and Henrik Stenson at their press conference on Wednesday, sounded equally excited about Bradley's appointment, especially given the age of the new American captain.
“Yes, look, I'm happy for him. I think it's a good opportunity for him especially as it affects the younger players. He will see that little border, and he obviously relates to them more, I would say, because of his age. I mean, what are you, 38 or something like that?” DeChambeau said. “So, you're seeing a younger generation of the game. There's still playing and competing, and it's good to have some skill related.”
Perhaps what supports Mickelson and DeChambeau's favorable opinion of Bradley's captain is their recent history with the Ryder Cup, and what Bradley has said about LIV Golf players being part of his team in 2025.
At the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, then-USA captain Zach Johnson selected LIV's Brooks Koepka as one of his six captain's picks. He didn't pick DeChambeau (or, famously, Bradley) even though Bryson's game wasn't in the best shape it is now. Mickelson, who before LIV emerged was considered the captain of the American team in 2025, was not named vice-captain.
As for Bethpage Black and the 2025 Ryder Cup, Bradley was very specific when asked if he would consider adding LIV Golf players to the team.
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“I will have the best 12 players in the team. I don't care what, where they play,” said Bradley at the press conference announcing his captaincy on Tuesday. “We are like that, we have a task to win this competition. I'm not worried about the LIV stuff. I want the best players in the team.”
Bradley's endorsement of having LIV players on the Ryder Cup team, if they earn it through their performance, was well received by DeChambeau, as he shared on Wednesday.
“As far as picking the best players, that's the right way,” DeChambeau said. “I wouldn't have been able to enjoy him as captain.”
With Mickelson's possible involvement as vice-captain, Bradley gave another positive, unifying message, noting his fond memories of playing with Mickelson at the Ryder Cup, but saying Mickelson deserved to be a future captain rather than an assistant.
“I still have a good relationship with Phil. “I don't think he's interested in being vice-captain,” said Bradley. “And to be honest with you, you are a captain one day, I think. But I haven't spoken to Phil, I don't want to speak for him at all, but I think he's busy with what he's doing. I have nothing but good things to say about Phil and our memories together, and what we did in the Ryder Cup are my fondest memories of the game. “
The degree to which Mickelson's relationship with the PGA of America was strained during the LIV-PGA Tour controversy far surpasses that of DeChambeau or Koepka. But Bradley's broad philosophy on the involvement of LIV players in the Ryder Cup at least leaves a small chance that we will see something truly unthinkable in Bethpage next fall: DeChambeau promotes Koepka to the team, with Mickelson and Tiger Woods on the sidelines as co-captains. .
Of course you can bet on it.
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