2025 Ryder Cup: Keegan Bradley named US captain to face Europe after Tiger Woods rejects role

Woods had been a long-time favourite to succeed Zach Johnson and lead the US side as they look to extend their winning run at home to three matches.

But the former world number one, who played on eight Ryder Cup teams, repeatedly delayed his decision.

He said at the US PGA Championship in May that he did not want to “fulfill the role of the captaincy if I can’t do it”, citing his position on the PGA Tour policy board as something that was taking up a lot of his time.

Given the announcement of Bradley as captain, it would appear Woods finally decided he could not dedicate the time to the role that he would want to.

Speculation will now continue to grow that Woods will take charge of the US team for the 2027 event at Adare Manor in Ireland. That will mark the 100th anniversary of the first playing of the Ryder Cup and it is being hosted at a course owned by his friend JP McManus. It will also mark 34 years since the US last won an away match.

Bradley, who won his solitary major at the 2011 US PGA Championship, was on the losing Ryder Cup teams in 2012 – as Europe won the ‘Miracle of Medinah’ – and two years later at Gleneagles in Scotland.

PGA of America president John Lindert, who made the announcement, said: “Keegan’s past Ryder Cup experience, strong relationships and unwavering passion for this event will prove invaluable as he guides the US team over the next year and a half.

“We are confident that with Keegan at the helm, the 2025 US Ryder Cup Team will compete at Bethpage with the same confidence and determination that has defined his career.”

It would appear to be a change in direction for the PGA of America, which runs the US Ryder Cup team.

Recent captains Johnson, Jim Furyk and Davis Love III all served as an assistant captain at least once before taking on the top job.

Bradley, who has won five PGA Tour events, to add to his major, since turning professional in 2008, has not been near the side since 2014.

In his two Ryder Cup appearances, he won four and lost three matches – one of the defeats being in a singles match against Rory McIlroy in 2012 when the Northern Irishman almost missed his tee-time.