Keegan Bradley has announced the full 12-man United States Ryder Cup team to face Europe in late September at Bethpage Black in New York, attempting to wrest the cup back on home soil.
For his captain’s picks, Bradley did not opt to pick himself despite being ranked 11th overall in the U.S. Ryder Cup rankings. Instead, Bradley has selected:
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Justin Thomas
Ranked seventh overall in Ryder Cup standings, a proven locker-room presence.
Ryder Cup record: three-time prior member, 7-4-2.
Collin Morikawa
Ranked eighth overall in Ryder Cup standings, a consistent if rarely spectacular player of late.
Ryder Cup record: two-time prior member, 4-3-1.
Ben Griffin
Ranked ninth overall in Ryder Cup standings, one of the best players in the world over the last few months.
Ryder Cup record: Rookie.
Cameron Young
Simply one of the hottest players in the game right now, statistically speaking.
Ryder Cup record: Rookie.
Patrick Cantlay
Intense competitor, known for starting an entire firestorm of debate at Rome 2023. Also a strong match player. Ranked 15th overall in Ryder Cup standings.
Ryder Cup record: Two-time prior member, 5-2-1.
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Sam Burns
The best putter on tour, which will be a true asset in Bethpage. Ranked 16th overall in Ryder Cup rankings.
Ryder Cup record: One-time prior member, 1-2-0.
The six captain’s picks join Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English and Bryson DeChambeau, all of whom automatically qualified for the team based on performance. Notably snubbed: Maverick McNealy, who was ranked 10th overall in Ryder Cup points, and 2003 Open Champion Brian Harman, who was ranked 12th overall.
Bradley’s decision of whether or not to pick himself was the most dramatic question leading into Wednesday’s announcement. Bradley had certainly played well enough to make the team on his own merits, but opted to focus on captaincy rather than competing himself.
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“The decision was made awhile ago that I wasn’t playing,” Bradley said after announcing the picks. “There was a point this year where I was playing, a while ago. All these guys stepped up in a major way and played their way on this team.”
The Ryder Cup will tee off for three of the most patriotic, chaotic days of the golf year at Bethpage Black on Sept. 26.
This story is developing and will be updated frequently.
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