Keegan Bradley has won the Travelers Championship twice in three years US captain Keegan Bradley says he will have a "hard look" at whether he should play in September's Ryder Cup afterhis dramatic one-shot victoryin the Travelers Championship on Sunday. Bradley, 39, birdied the last hole of his final round in Connecticut to deny England's Tommy Fleetwood his first PGA Tour title. Victory moved him seventh in the world rankings and ninth in the American Ryder Cup qualification standings. The top six in the latter qualify automatically for the event in Bethpage, New York, with another six players given captain's picks. Arnold Palmer was the Ryder Cup's last playing captain, when he led the US team aged 34 in 1963. "It's still June so we have got a long way to go [but] this definitely changes things a little bit," said Bradley - the youngest captain since Palmer. "This definitely opens the door to play. I don't know if I'm going to do it or not but I certainly have to take a pretty hard look at what's best for the team. "Every year I was out here, I wanted to play on the Ryder Cup team, and then this would be the first year where maybe I didn't want to. I just wanted to be the captain and, of course, this is what happens." Bradley's most recent Ryder Cup appearance was in the defeat at Gleneagles in 2014, having also played on the losing side two years earlier. He missed out on a place in 2023 when Justin Thomas, who was below him on the points list and struggling for form, was preferred by captain Zach Johnson Bradley wasnamed captain this timeafter Tiger Woods turned down the opportunity. He insisted he would not give up the captaincy if he did make the team but could take on a dual role with the help of vice-captains Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, Kevin Kisner and Jim Furyk. "I never really planned on playing," he said. "Now, with the amazing vice-captains I have, I feel a lot more comfortable if I went that route. "I had this epiphany at the PGA Championship when I was getting these loud 'USA' cheers. "I don't think any player in the history of the game has experienced what I'm experiencing in that I'm a Ryder Cup captain, in my eyes still one of the best players in the world trying to win majors and tournaments, coming down the stretch of a tournament." Bradley said when he was asked to be captain, the first thing the PGA of America told him was they wanted him to be the first playing captain since Palmer. "My head was spinning," he said. "I didn't know what they were talking about, but they knew that was a possibility and that we would have things in place for that. "A year ago I don't know if I would have thought I would be seventh in the world but I certainly thought I would be contending in tournaments."
US captain Bradley open to Ryder Cup playing role
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"Keegan Bradley Considers Playing Role in Upcoming Ryder Cup After Travelers Championship Win"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Keegan Bradley, the captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team, is contemplating the possibility of playing in the upcoming Ryder Cup scheduled for September after securing a dramatic one-shot victory at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut. This victory not only marked his second title at this event in three years but also propelled him to seventh in the world golf rankings and ninth in the Ryder Cup qualification standings. The top six players automatically qualify for the prestigious tournament, while the captain can select an additional six players. Reflecting on his recent success, Bradley stated that he would take a 'hard look' at whether playing is in the best interest of the team, indicating that his perspective on participating has shifted since he initially accepted the captaincy. He acknowledged the historical significance of being a playing captain, noting that Arnold Palmer was the last to hold this dual role in 1963.
Despite his focus on leadership, Bradley's competitive spirit remains strong, as he expressed a desire to contribute to the team both as a player and captain. He has not played in the Ryder Cup since 2014 and missed out on selection for the 2023 event, where Justin Thomas, a player he outperformed in points, was chosen instead. As captain, Bradley emphasized that he has the support of experienced vice-captains, which would allow him to manage the responsibilities of both roles effectively. He recalled an inspiring moment during the PGA Championship when he felt the crowd's support, reinforcing his connection to the event. Bradley's recent performance and rank have raised the possibility of him competing, a scenario he had not anticipated a year ago. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the team and the potential to play, demonstrating his commitment to both roles as he prepares for the Ryder Cup in Bethpage, New York.
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