Automatic Qualifiers:
- Scottie Scheffler: World No. 1, multiple 2025 victories—including majors—the clear anchor.
- J.J. Spaun: Rookie, but a U.S. Open winner with strong approach stats.
- Xander Schauffele: 3rd in points, Ryder Cup veteran with swagger and consistency.
- Russell Henley: Rookie, yet highly balanced, strong in approaches and greens.
- Harris English: Steady, Vet presence, elite putting.
- Bryson DeChambeau: Known for his power and energy—polarizing but impactful.
Captain’s Picks:
- Justin Thomas: Multiple appearances, known competitor—”born to play Ryder Cups.”
- Collin Morikawa: Precision iron play; even in recent form dips, his consistency matters.
- Patrick Cantlay: Reliable, high floor. Proven Ryder Cup performer with a steady record.
- Sam Burns: Top putter on Tour this season—an asset in Ryder Cup pressure situations.
- Ben Griffin: Rookie with two wins in 2025; strong recent form.
- Cameron Young: Rookie with great form; has connection to Bethpage.
3. Tough Calls—Who Missed Out
Several notable players were left off the team despite strong cases:
- Jordan Spieth, Tony Finau, Rickie Fowler—all mentioned as prominent names not selected.
- Maverick McNealy (10th in points) and Brian Harman (12th) were surprisingly passed over. Andrew Novak (13th) also floated in and out of contention.
These omissions underscore the harsh realities of selection: tight margins, form-weighted decisions, and branding for team balance. Some veterans, even if popular or accomplished, didn’t make the cut.
4. The Central Story: Keegan Bradley Declines Playing Captaincy
Perhaps the most compelling narrative was Bradley’s decision not to choose himself for the playing roster—despite being ranked around No. 11 globally and enjoying a strong season (including a Travelers Championship win).
Why was this such a big deal?
- A playing captain hasn’t been seen since Arnold Palmer in 1963—a rarity in modern Ryder Cup.
- Former European Ryder Cup captains (e.g., Sam Torrance, Nick Faldo) strongly discouraged the idea, citing the modern event’s pressure and complexity.
- Rory McIlroy echoed this logic, saying dual roles are no longer viable. ;’’/[]
Bradley’s reasoning:
- He framed the move as selfless—putting the team’s cohesion and performance above personal ambition.
- He leaned on input from his vice captains—Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson, Gary Woodland, Kevin Kisner—during the process.
- Bradley described the decision as emotionally heavy, referencing his own disappointment in being excluded in 2023 and his pride in leading the team.
- He reaffirmed that he would only consider playing if he earned it automatically—and ultimately, his priorities lay in captaincy.
References: SB Nation
New York Post
The Washington Post
NBC Sports
CBSSports.com
