U.S. Ryder Cup team captain Keegan Bradley is focused on forming the best possible team to face the European team this summer, regardless of which league the golfers compete in.
Last week, Bradley and his vice-captains hosted a dinner for the team in Philadelphia, home of the Truist Championship. The dinner was attended by the top 20 golfers in the Ryder Cup points standings, as well as players who competed in the 2023 Ryder Cup and the 2024 Presidents Cup.
Among the guests were LIV Golf League captains Bryson DeChambeau, the current US Open winner, and Brooks Koepka, five-time major champion.
We invited Brooks and Bryson, and they were there for points, and they played on previous teams. It was great to have them there. In this Ryder Cup and what it entails, nobody cares what’s going on in this dispute between the PGA Tour and LIV. We’re trying to form the best team possible.
Keegan Bradley
The American team will host the Europeans at Bethpage Black State Park in Farmingdale, New York, from September 26 to 28.
The top six golfers in the Ryder Cup standings after the BMW Championship on August 17 will automatically qualify for the team. Bradley will also make six captain’s picks.
Currently, Scottie Scheffler holds the first place in points, followed by Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, DeChambeau, and Russell Henley.
Patrick Reed of LIV Golf is ranked 25th in points, and Kopeka is 91st. Players are not receiving Ryder Cup points for their results in LIV Golf events.
Koepka was the only LIV Golf player who competed on the U.S. team that lost to the Europeans 16 1/2-11 1/2 in Rome in 2023.
It could mean there’s one LIV player, two LIV players, it doesn’t matter. We’ll see how it plays out this year. It was really cool to have them together with all the guys. It’s been a while since we’ve been able to do that.
Keegan Bradley
LIV Golf captain Jon Rahm wouldn’t say if European team captain Luke Donald has guaranteed him one of his six captain’s picks. Rahm competed on the last three European teams and has a 6-3-3 record in the event.
Rory McIlroy, Masters champion, leads the European team points standings, followed by Shane Lowry, Rasmus Højgaard, Tyrrell Hatton, Sepp Straka, and Justin Rose. The top six after the British Masters on August 24 will automatically qualify for the team.
Rahm currently holds the 29th position in points.
That’s a question for Luke. It’s his team. I hope I can qualify and not have to question it. Personally, I’d like to think so, but it’s not up to me.
Jon Rahm
