Bradley now a serious contender to become a playing captain

Keegan Bradley has the look of a man who tried really hard to be liked by the popular kids in school, but just wasn’t.

Even during what has been a thoroughly successful PGA Tour career, Bradley has always looked like someone who has a chip on his shoulder, someone who has never been universally accepted or adored.

That was never more evident than when he was left out of the USA Ryder Cup team last year by captain Zach Johnson who opted for his buddies over someone who is quite a marmite character in Bradley.

This wasn’t the first time that he had been a surprise omission from a team. In 2011 he won the PGA Championship and was considered as the front runner for Fred Couples’ Presidents Cup team but he was passed over for Bill Haas.

Bradley has Ryder Cup experience and in 2012 and 2014 was the heartbeat of the US teams despite losing on both occasions, most famously in Medinah and he still hasn’t unpacked his suitcase since.

The American has been trying to get back to that stage ever since but this time he holds all the cards.

The 38-year-old is the youngest US captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963. Palmer was also the last playing captain and there is no doubt that Bradley is in a very strong position to break that mould.

Bradley’s win at the BMW Championship on Sunday vaulted him to 11th in the Official World Golf Rankings, putting him in the fray for Presidents Cup selection next month as well.

The seven-time PGA Tour winner would be a great addition to a US team from a playing capacity. Bethpage Black, New York, a rowdy crowd and a fierce competitor who can run hot both physically and emotionally.

It’s quite the recipe.

Normally, Ryder Cup captains are appointed when they are past their best but for Bradley, this is a player who could be approaching the peak of his powers.

Should he maintain his current form, Bradley should be a strong candidate to be a playing captain at the 2025 Ryder Cup and he is already thinking about it.

“I would love to be a playing captain,” he said. “No one has really had the opportunity that I’ve had.

“I think you could have given Phil or Tiger a chance to be captain at my age and they would have played on the teams. But it’s never really had a chance to happen.

“It’s going to be really hard for me to make that team, but if I make the team, I’ll play. I don’t see myself being a captain’s pick. But I’ll be proud to just be the captain.

“If I have to go out there and play, I’d love to do that, too.”