Bradley names six captain's picks for 2025 Ryder Cup, not playing

United States Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley on Wednesday announced his six captain's picks for the 2025 matches at Bethpage Black, opting not to name himself and completing a 12‑man roster that combines established match‑play veterans with a pair of debutants. Bradley selected Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns to join automatic qualifiers Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English and Bryson DeChambeau for the Sept. 26–28 contest in New York.

Bradley’s decision to forgo the rare role of playing captain, a possibility raised throughout the year, ended months of speculation. He said the choice was heartbreaking but necessary, adding that he wanted to focus fully on leadership and trusted his vice captains to support match decisions should he have played. The captain also emphasised Thomas’s role in the squad, calling him “the heartbeat of our team,” and Thomas said Bradley’s transparency had been a defining feature of the selection process.

The announcement touched off immediate debate. Several higher-ranked Americans were omitted, most notably Maverick McNealy, who had been 10th in...