We are just 96 days away from the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, and the heat is on. Scottie Scheffler has already locked up the first U.S. spot, while others are still waiting for the good news.
But the captain, Keegan Bradley, is on a different mission. Bradley is chasing something that no other player has done in more than 60 years.
The 39-year-old wants to earn his way onto the team through Ryder Cup points. He is currently in the 17th position and needs to climb into the top six to qualify automatically.
If Bradley does, he would become the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963.
Getty Images
There are only so many tournaments left to gain the points needed to climb the standings.
This week, the PGA Tour is hosting its final Signature Event of the 2025 season. With that comes a larger purse, and additional FedEx Cup and Ryder Cup points.
After the third round of Travelers Championship, Bradley is in great position to make up some of the ground needed. He is tied for second, three shots back of Tommy Fleetwood.
Following his round, Bradley expressed how Sunday is going to be special for more than one reason.
It marks exactly one year since Bradley got the call to lead Team USA as captain.
“Tomorrow’s the year anniversary of getting the call for the Ryder Cup,” he said. “Pretty crazy that we’re a year out, but special day tomorrow—could be even better.”
Bradley knows he’s in rare territory. Prior to Palmer’s captaincy more than a half-century ago, playing captains were commonplace.
“No one has ever experienced what I’m going through right now,” he admitted.
“Arnold Palmer did in 1962 (1963*), I think it was, but most captains are done playing or on the Champions Tour. So it’s pretty cool—I’m experiencing something that not a lot of people have.”
🚨👀🇺🇸 #NEW — Keegan Bradley reacts after shooting -7, 63 on Saturday: “Tomorrow’s the year anniversary of getting the call for the Ryder Cup… special day tomorrow, could be even better.” He’ll begin Sunday 3 back. @KeegsArmy
pic.twitter.com/3X9V9c7X1s— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) June 21, 2025
Palmer’s playing in 1962 remains iconic. At age 34, he led the U.S. to a 23–9 win over Great Britain at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
He posted a 4–2 record that week and became a symbol of leadership on and off the course. Bradley, a lifelong Palmer fan, could be next to carry that torch.
Bradley was left off the 2023 team despite two PGA Tour wins that season.
“I was crushed,” he said. “It took us a while to get over that. Our whole family. We were devastated.”
Now, he’s in contention at his home event and playing with purpose in New England. “I try so hard not to think about playing,” he laughed. “But they [the fans] remind me every hole.”
If he plays his way in, it won’t just be a comeback. It’ll be a Ryder Cup moment no one saw coming.
More Golf: Tiger Woods Back at Augusta National, First Time Since Achiles Injury