Keegan Bradley, who was announced as the captain of the US Ryder Cup two weeks ago, recently announced his first step in building his Bethpage team.
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Keegan Bradley fulfilled a promise when the US Ryder Cup captain surprised him by announcing the first member of his team.
“I'm going to take another look at the vice-captains,” Bradley said at his introductory press conference on July 9. “They're going to be a lot younger, closer to playing.”
On Tuesday, Webb Simpson was named one of Bradley's vice-captains for the 2025 event at Bethpage Black in New York. He is the first of what could be five vice-captains in the team.
At 38, Simpson is the same age as Bradley. Last year, American captain Zach Johnson was 47 years old when this event was played. The average age of his five vice captains in Rome – Steve Stricker, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk, Fred Couples and Stewart Cink – was 56 years old.
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“Webb is someone I've known and respected for a long time as a competitor and friend,” said Bradley. “He has a lot of golf experience on the team and knows what it takes to win. Webb will be a valuable member of our leadership team and a trusted resource to me as we prepare for Bethpage Black next September.”
Simpson, a seven-time winner on the PGA Tour (including the 2012 US Open), played in three Ryder Cups (2012, 2014, 2018) and compiled a career record of 4-4-1. He was also a member of the President Cup teams in 2011, 2013 and 2019.
This is Simpson's first time as vice-captain.
“I am honored to be selected by Keegan to serve as vice-captain in 2025,” said Simpson. “Competing in three Ryder championships will be one of the highlights of my life. I have no doubt that Keegan will be an excellent captain and a great leader, and I can't wait to work as we look to bring the Ryder Cup back to Bethpage Black.”
Bradley emerged as an unlikely captain, and the job became his when Tiger Woods said he was not interested in the gig this year. While Bradley may bring a fresh, new energy to the team, he has never been vice-captain or captain before. In his first press conference two weeks ago, he said he is not worried about the lack of experience.
“I think I will be there with the boys. I will also play in the tournaments they are going to play in, I will play with them in big tournaments,” he said. “I'll be playing week in and week out, I'll be hanging out with these guys in the locker room, training, having dinner. Unlike before with the Ryder Cup they have to fly to, they have to organize all these things and I will have a year of having guys as peers.
“It's a great honor that my peers chose me to do this,” he continued, “and, you know, I don't have the experience that many other captains have, but I know these guys well. I'm in touch with these guys and I see them every week.”
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