The 2025 Ryder Cup is here, and Captain’s Picks are imminent.
I think that of the two captains, Luke Donald will have an easier time making his picks, as he doesn’t need the option of picking himself to make the team. Donald has been free of distractions and has a solid pool to choose from.
Keagan Bradley, on the other hand, has a lot on his plate. He has been in the spotlight since the announcement of his captaincy in 2024. His game has been spot on all season, and the chances of him making the team are high.
The United States team could benefit from Bradley as a player, given its current lineup. Only top-ranked Scotty Scheffler and two-time U.S. Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau are reliable standouts. Even recent U.S. Open Champion and Ryder Cup rookie JJ Spaun remains untested under this level of pressure.
Among the automatic qualifiers—Xander Schauffele, Harris English, and Russell Henley—consistency is present, but none have delivered standout performances this season. This puts significant pressure on Bradley for his six picks.
I think the Bradley selection as captain was one out of guilt. He was left out of the prior team by then Captain Zach Johnson after having a great season, and the United States Team got destroyed by the Europeans. But I don’t think the PGA of America thought he was going to have such a great season going into the Ryder Cup, making the chance of Bradley picking himself for the team even more interesting.
Do I think he should pick himself for the team? No. The Captain’s position is very important, and I think he needs to give it 100%. Being a playing captain, I don’t think he can do a good job at either or. Unfortunately, of the people he can pick, he has the best playing record this year, making it a very difficult decision.
The next five possible picks for the United States are going to be tough. With the exception of Ben Griffin and Cameron Young, it is going to be an uphill battle for Bradley to make the right choices.
No matter what decision he makes, he will be criticized just the same, and if they don’t win the cup, even more so.
The United States team is going against a tough and stacked European team. Of the six automatic qualifiers, five have won in 2025, including current Master Champions Rory McIlroy and Tour Championship/FedEx Cup winner Tommy Fleetwood.
Captain Luke Donald has a better pool to choose from. Despite being a member of LIV Golf, Jon Rahm is almost guaranteed to get a captain’s pick, leaving five more picks. My guess is the following guys will get the phone call: Shane Lowry, Ludvig Aberg, Sepp Straka, and Viktor Hovland. Leaving that six pick up in the air. I think that pick should go to Marco Penge. Penge has been on a heater with two wins in the DPWT this season and consistent play all around. But we know how political these picks can be, so only Donald knows.
I can’t wait for the announcements and for all the praises and criticisms to begin. One thing is for sure: Bethpage is going to be rowdy.