Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley addressed Ryder Cup questions about Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia as the captains looked ahead to the 2025 tournament
The countdown to the next Ryder Cup is officially underway after captains Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley attended an event in New York to preview the 2025 event.
After Europe, under Donald, romped to victory in Rome 12 months ago, Team USA will attempt to regain the trophy on home ground when Bethpage Black in New York hosts the 45th instalment of the biennial contest. The Englishman is looking to become the first captain to win an away match since Jose Maria Olazabal presided over the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ in 2012.
The US have appointed a young captain in 38-year-old Bradley, who could potentially play on the team himself. As the pair faced the media together, they were quizzed on a variety of topics.
They included the potential presence of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia, and how rowdy fans will be dealt with. Here are five major revelations from the event…
Tiger Woods role
Bradley was asked about the possibility of Woods being involved in the team, possibly as a vice-captain. The pair spoke when he was appointed captain, with Bradley describing the 15-time major winner as a “mentor of all of us”.
He said: “I spoke to Tiger a bunch when the [captaincy] announcement happened. He was really, really helpful. Had a lot of great advice.
“Again, the stress of playing in the Presidents Cup and then the Playoffs and everything that came with that, I sort of put everything on pause for a second, and I’ll be addressing that in the coming weeks and months.
“But I’ve had great conversations with Tiger. He’s a mentor of all of us. He’s got a lot of great suggestions on things we can do as a team.”
Sergio Garcia U-turn
The Spanish legend appeared to have scored his final Ryder Cup point following his decision to defect to LIV Golf, which resulted in him missing the last contest.
Europe’s all-time leading points scorer resigned his membership in May 2023 after an arbitration panel found in favour of the DP World Tour and ratified its right to fine and suspend players who competed in LIV Golf events without permission.
The DP World Tour then revealed that Garcia was the only one of 17 players initially sanctioned not to have paid his £100,000 fine, “nor has he given any indication that he intends to”. However, a year is a particularly long time in golf these days and the previously unthinkable prospect of Garcia rejoining the DP World Tour, thus putting him in the frame for a Ryder Cup spot, is entirely possible.
Donald revealed he had spoken to Garcia about the issue, saying: “He resigned his membership a couple of years ago but we have had some chats.
“He’s considering rejoining. He’d have to follow all the rules and regulations like everyone else and if he does that he will be eligible to partake in the Ryder Cup.”
Donald added: “He’s certainly very interested in doing that [rejoining the DP World Tour]. He understands everything that’s involved and again, the decision has to go to him whether he’s prepared to do all that. But certainly we’ve had that discussion.”
Phil Mickelson ruled out
While Woods and Garcia could be involved in the next Ryder Cup, it appears that Mickelson will be watching on from afar. Quizzed on Lefty’s possible involvement as a vice-captain, Bradley said: “Personally, I don’t think he’s really interested in doing it.
“I owe a lot to Phil and I think he’s done so much for the American side at the Ryder Cup, but I’m not so sure he’s looking to come in as a vice-captain.”
Playing captain?
There has been speculation that Bradley could be the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963. The man himself has been cool on the prospect and used the recent Presidents Cup, which he played in, as a fact-finding mission.
Jim Furyk captained Team USA against the World team in the Ryder Cup-style event, and Bradley said: “It was important to remember the preparation that goes into it [as a player in team events], and I was able to really watch what Jim and the vice-captains did, creating an atmosphere for us to succeed and to do well and be prepared and know who you’re playing with and have a real plan.
“As for me to play, it’s always a goal of mine to play on the Ryder Cup teams. It’s so far off now that it’s really… I’m not going to worry about it.
“Once we get closer to the tournament and I’m up there on the points list, then we’ll start to think about it. But I’m focused now on being the captain of the team and that’s it.”
Rowdy fans warned
Bradley warned fans who “cross the line” will be kicked out of Bethpage, with the PGA of America vowing to clamp down on unruly behaviour which has marred previous Ryder Cups.
“The PGA of America has things in place for each group to monitor the situation and if you act inappropriately, you’re going to be asked to leave the tournament,” said Bradley
“I hope and expect the fans will respect what the guys are doing but also at the same time be lively and supporting our team.”
Donald concurred with that rhetoric, adding: “We’ve all seen Ryder Cups where it has crossed the line. It’s the responsiblty of the PGA of America to have protocols and a plan in place.
“Keegan and I like to do things the right way, win fairly and squarely. We want the best team to win in a passionate and spirited high energy environment.”
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