U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley will not compete in the event next month, failing to include himself in the six captain’s picks.
Instead, he announced Wednesday that Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns will join the six automatic qualifiers to represent the United States at the 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York next month.
“The decision was made a while ago that I wasn’t playing,” said Bradley, who finished No. 11 on the list of qualifiers. “The last 48 hours the team was set.”
He said the way the players he chose finished up the 2025 season made the decision easy for him.
“All these guys stepped up in a major way and played their way onto this team,” he said. “… I know 100 percent for certain this is the right choice.”
The six qualifiers are World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English and Bryson DeChambeau.
The team includes eight Ryder Cup veterans and four rookies — Spaun, Henley, Griffin and Young.
Thomas is the veteran of the group, making his fourth appearance.
“He’s the heartbeat of our team,” Bradley said. “This guy was born to play Ryder Cup, especially at Bethpage Black.”
Another natural for the course is Young, a New York native who played events at the course growing up. His father, David Young, is a PGA of America pro in Westchester County, N.Y., about 60 miles from Bethpage Black.
“To get the opportunity to represent the country and play in the Ryder Cup is something you dream of,” said Young, who rated the selection to his first Ryder Cup team ahead of winning a PGA Tour event.
“This Ryder Cup in particular, in New York, at Bethpage, is so special to me. I’ve been picturing the moment where I could possibly get a call and play on this team for a long, long time.”
Morikawa will be playing in his third Ryder Cup and is 3-0-1 on home soil. He said the secret to success at Bethpage is simple.
“You have to play great golf,” he said. “You have to hit great shots. You have to make putts.”
Griffin is second to Scheffler in top-10 finishes this year. He called making the roster the “biggest honor” bestowed on him in golf, adding it was an emotional conversation with Bradley — and a call he couldn’t have envisioned four years ago.
“I don’t think so. Going from a desk job, making my way back to the PGA Tour has been an incredible journey for me,” Griffin said. “I appreciate the belief not only from Keegan but also the captains and other players for believing in me.”
Bradley went outside the top 12 in points to select both Young (No. 14) and Cantlay (No. 15), who will be making his third appearance. That veteran leadership is key, Bradley said.
“This is where he thrives,” Bradley said. “This is where we need him.”
Burns, Bradley said, earned his spot as the “best putter on the planet” and also because of his expertise at match play.
The players in the top 12 not to be selected were Bradley (No. 11) and No. 10 Maverick McNealy.
–Field Level Media
