Ryder Cup captains discuss Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia involvement at Bethpage.
NEW YORK – U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley has been abundantly clear every time he’s been asked about the potential of a player who joined LIV Golf playing on next year’s American team.
When asked about disparities within professional golf, he repeats,….. “I want the 12 best players….. The PGA of America made things easier for Bradley last month when it announced that LIV Golf, an independent tour funded primarily by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, had been added to its list of “approved tours,” which give players an A-3 rating.
PGA membership earns him eligibility for the U.S. Ryder Cup team and the PGA Championship. But there was one other question Bradley couldn’t answer at his “One Year to Go” press conference in Manhattan on Tuesday.Asked if Phil Mickelson will play next year, Bradley said, “I’m not there yet, to be honest with you.”
“I don’t think he’s really interested in that personally. “I owe Phil a lot and I think he’s done a lot for the U.S. Ryder Cup team, but I’m not sure he wants to be a vice-captain.” Bradley was paired with Mickelson in the 2012 and 2014 Ryder Cups and could name him vice-captain for next year’s matches at Bethpage Black, but that seems unlikely.
Europe captain Luke Donald may be forced to make a similar decision. The DP World Tour allows players who play in LIV Golf to retain their European membership with penalties, but some players have given up their European membership by joining LIV Golf. Sergio Garcia, one of the most experienced players on the continent of the Ryder Cup, resigned from membership of the DP World Round, but could come back if he wanted to participate in games next year is as a player or captain.
“We discussed by phone a few weeks ago. “You know, he’s certainly very interested in (returning to the tour),” Donald said. “He understands everything that comes with it and, again, it has to be his decision as to whether he’s willing to do all of this.” But of course we discussed it, yes.
