Mickelson, DeChambeau, Rahm react to Bradley being named U.S. Ryder Cup captain
SOTOGRANDE, Spain – Phil Mickelson was surprised when he first heard that his former Ryder Cup partner Keegan Bradley had been named the U.S. captain for next year’s competition at Bethpage Black in New York.
He also fully endorses the move. “I think it’s a wonderful pick as I think more about it,” Mikkelson said on Wednesday. “When he went to St. Jongs, he played a lot of golf on the Ves Page. His passion for the Ryder Cup is stronger than any player I’ve ever seen. His love for the Ryder Cup is deeper than anyone I know. I think he will lead with such passion.
“I think he’s amazing. I’m very, very happy for him.”
Mickelson and Bradley partnered in five Ryder Cup matches in 2012 and 2014, with an impressive record of 4-1-0. In fact, Bradley has never won a Ryder Cup match without Mickelson as his partner. The 38 -year -old Bradley was declared on Tuesday after Tiger Woods decided to abandon the post. It wasn’t just Mikelson who was surprised because Bradley’s name wasn’t public. “I’ve heard a lot of people say it’s going to be Tiger, Tiger at Bethpage,” said Corps XIII captain Jon Rahm, who played in three Ryder Cups for Europe. “I think that’s got some merit, yes. He won the U.S. Open in Bethpage, and it’s Tiger Woods. So I felt like it made a lot of sense. “But I also understand Keegan, yes, he was a very engaged player during his Ryder Cup performance. He made his mark, he and Phil had a great partnership and they ran some good times at Medinah. “So he’s a guy from the Northeast, and I know Boston and New York aren’t normally friends, but I think they’re going to get along for one week this week. Yes, I do. I understand why he was chosen. ”
Zach Johnson rejected Bradley as Ryder Cup captain last year, a major disappointment for a player who admitted to “bleeding red, white and blue.” But Mickelson is happy that Bradley, who could theoretically still be part of the team, is now in charge. “We’re all so happy that he knows how tough it was not to make the team last year,” the High Flyers GC captain said. “Now I’ve been given the opportunity to lead the way and push forward, and I think that’s great.”
At Bradley’s introductory press conference on Tuesday, he said he wanted to add a top 12 American player to his team, regardless of the league or tour they play in. That should be good news for America’s top LIV golfers, including reigning U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, who played in the Ryder Cup in 2018 and 2021.
“It’s the right approach in terms of picking the best player and I’m very happy with him as captain,” DeChambeau said. DeChambeau, 30, captain of Crushers GC, said Bradley’s age should give him a big advantage against younger players, making him the youngest American captain since Arnold Palmer took charge at age 34 in 1963. “I think this is a great opportunity for him, especially with the younger players,” DeChambeau said. “Because of his age, he’s going to understand the younger limitations and obviously relate to them a lot more. … He sees the younger generation playing. He’s still playing and competing, and it’s great that we have some sort of connection.”
