Bradley considers fall warm-up in Napa for Ryder Cup

Keegan Bradley, the United States captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup, is weighing a fall warm-up for his players at the Procore Championship in Napa, California, in early September as a means to prevent rust before the team travels to Bethpage Black. Participation in the event would be voluntary, with Bradley himself potentially competing as player-captain two weeks before the matches begin. The plan reflects a shift after last year’s performance in Rome, where a number of U.S. players elected to skip a mid-summer tune-up and critics argued that rust contributed to a lopsided defeat.

Bradley indicated that the idea of a fall event came after he spoke with players expected to be on his Bethpage roster. “The boys feel like this is the best course of action to be ready to play at their highest level at Bethpage,” he said, stressing that no one is required to go. He added that the club-level test would provide a sharpened groove two weeks before the formal competition in New York, and that he would consider playing if it helps the team. The proposal is not mandatory, but Bradley’s leadership style has emphasized readiness and proximity to the Ryder Cup week, given how much the event...