Keegan Bradley revealed on Tuesday that Phil Mickelson will play no part in the 2025 Ryder Cup with Team USA, and now the LIV Golf star has had his say on the matter
Phil Mickelson praised Keegan Bradley
Phil Mickelson gave a glowing assessment of Keegan Bradley’s appointment as Team USA captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup, despite being told he will play no part in the event.
The PGA of America appointed Bradley as the man to lead the American setup on home soil against their European rivals at Bethpage Black next September. A day later, the 38-year-old conducted his first role as captain, addressing the media and speaking of his appointment at a press conference in New York.
During the appearance, Bradley revealed that whilst he still has a strong relationship with his former partner Mickelson, he has no plans of bringing him into the team as a vice-captain for next year’s event.
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“I still have a great relationship with Phil,” Bradley said. “I don’t think he’s interested in being a vice-captain, and to be honest with you, he’s a captain someday I think. But I haven’t spoken to Phil, I don’t want to speak for him at all, but I think he’s pretty busy with what he’s doing.”
A day later Mickelson responded himself, and had nothing but kind words for Bradley, describing the elected captain as ‘incredible’. “I was surprised at the pick, and I think it’s a great pick the more I think about it,” Mickelson said ahead of this week’s LIV Golf event at Valderrama.
“He played a lot of golf at Bethpage when he went to St. Johns. His passion for the Ryder Cup is greater than just about any player I’ve ever seen. His love for the Ryder Cup is more than anybody I know. I think he’s going to lead with that type of passion. I think he’s incredible.
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“I’m really, really happy for him. I think we all are really happy for him knowing how gut-wrenching it was to not be part of the team last year, but to now have the opportunity to lead and go forward I think is great.” There was good news for Mickelson’s fellow LIV members though, after Bradley confirmed he would consider all of his options, regardless of what tour they player their golf on.
“I’m going to have the 12 best players on the team. I don’t care where they play,” Bradley claimed. “We have a mission to win this tournament and I don’t care about the LIV stuff. I want the best players on the team. By the time we get to Bethpage in 2025, we don’t know how things are going to look.
“As it comes to going to LIV events, if there’s guys that are on the fringe, I’m willing to do that,” he said. “My biggest concern is having the best players on the team.” Keen to stay out of the off-course politics, he went on: “Again, I think in 2025, by the time the Ryder Cup comes, maybe the golf world looks totally different. I just want the best players on the team. I think it’s silly for the U.S. team to not have the best players.”
