Keegan Bradley should make selfish decision after winning the Travelers Championship

Bradley also has one of the best statistical profiles of any player on the PGA Tour in 2025. The Vermont native ranks 10th on Tour this season in total strokes gained, third in strokes gained from tee to green, 19th in total driving, second in driving efficiency and 10th in par 4 birdie or better percentage. Those are all key metrics at Bethpage Black, the site of the 2025 Ryder Cup. 

Bethpage is a long, challenging golf course that demands strong total driving and iron play, and Bradley has gained strokes from off the tee and on approach in eight of his last 11 starts. There aren't many Americans flushing it better than him right now. 

If Bradley weren't the captain of Team USA, he would undoubtedly be one of the top choices for a captain's pick. The only issue with him making the roster is the optics of choosing himself to compete and coach the team at the same time. Although, it wouldn't be the first time. 

In 1963, Arnold Palmer competed in the Ryder Cup as a playing captain. Palmer played in six matches and went 4-2-0 to lead the United States to a dominant, 23-9 victory. 

If the goal of Bradley's captainship is to build a team with the best chance to take down Team Europe—which it should be—he needs to be on the roster. Bradley is an eight-time PGA Tour winner, a major champion, a competitive killer and one of the best ball-strikers on the PGA Tour in 2025. 

Just compare him to some of the other contenders for a captain's pick. Ben Griffin, Andrew Novak and Maverick McNealy have never competed in the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup. Brian Harman, Tom Hoge and Daniel Berger aren't in good form and don't fit Bethpage Black particularly well. The only players outside the top six in the standings you would firmly put ahead of Bradley are Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay. 

Bradley would do anything to help his home country win the Ryder Cup, but he'll have to be selfish to do so. 

The 2025 Ryder Cup will take place at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York from Sept. 26-28. Bradley will make his captain's picks on Aug. 17.