![\"Ryder](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756220048_101_960x0.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOn Wednesday, August 27 at 11 a.m. ET, the golf world will tune in to Golf Channel as Keegan Bradley names his six captain\u2019s picks for the 2025 Ryder Cup. With the Tour Championship now complete and six automatic qualifiers already locked in \u2014 Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau \u2014 the U.S. captain faces the most consequential decisions of his young leadership tenure.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 08: Keegan Bradley of The United States speaks at a press conference during the Ryder Cup 2024 Year to Go Media Event at The Times Center on October 08, 2024 in New York, New York. (Photo by Mike Stobe\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a ranking of the top 10 candidates most likely to earn Bradley\u2019s trust and a ticket to Bethpage Black:<\/p>\n
1. Justin Thomas<\/p>\n
(Photo by Maddie Meyer\/PGA of America\/PGA of America via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
PGA of America via Getty Images<\/p>\n
The Emotional Leader
Despite a rollercoaster stretch of form, Thomas has been a heartbeat of the American team (7-4-2 Ryder Cup record). His passion, chemistry with teammates, and history of delivering under pressure make him almost impossible to leave behind. Although his selection to Italy two years ago was extremely controversial, JT deserves to be on the team in 2025.<\/p>\n
2. Patrick Cantlay<\/p>\n
(Photo by Patrick Smith\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/p>\n
Patty Ice
A methodical ball-striker and proven partner for Xander Schauffele, Cantlay thrives in team formats. His form surged late in the season, and his composure is tailor-made for Bethpage\u2019s pressure cooker. His overall Ryder Cup record speaks for itself at 5-2-1 and was the superstar for the USA team in Italy taking center stage during \u201chat gate.\u201d<\/p>\n
(Photo by Richard Heathcote\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/p>\n
3. Collin Morikawa<\/p>\n
The Precision Player
With one of the purest iron games in golf, Morikawa brings consistency and control on a course that demands both. He brings in a veteran presence with experience as he has played in the last two Ryder Cups. Though his 2025 season hasn\u2019t produced a win, he\u2019s considered too reliable to overlook.<\/p>\n
4. Cameron Young<\/p>\n
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty Images <\/p>\n
The Hometown Bomber
Few players fit Bethpage Black better than Young. A New York native with a fearless driver, Young\u2019s length and local ties could electrify the crowd \u2014 an intangible Bradley can\u2019t ignore. He also brings a steady putter something that he in the past has not been known for and the United States team will need.<\/p>\n
Overall Strokes Gained Putting (SGP): 7th
\n One-Putt Percentage: 4th
\n Putts per Round: 10th
\n Putts per Green in Regulation (GIR): 2nd<\/p>\n
5. Ben Griffin<\/p>\n
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty Images <\/p>\n
The Rising Rookie
Griffin\u2019s consistency and ability to rise in big moments put him firmly in the mix. As a Ryder Cup rookie, he\u2019d inject fresh energy into the squad \u2014 something Bradley has hinted at valuing. He also showed his team oriented strength earlier this year partnering up with Andrew Novak to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.<\/p>\n
6. Sam Burns<\/p>\n
(Photo by Ross Kinnaird\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty Images <\/p>\n
Scottie\u2019s Plus 1<\/p>\n
As Scottie Scheffler\u2019s closest friend on Tour and a proven Presidents Cup performer, Sam Burns brings a weapon the U.S. will covet at Bethpage: a fearless putting stroke. On a course where clutch putts could swing entire sessions, Burns\u2019 presence feels almost essential. Rumors are already swirling that Captain Keegan Bradley has assured him a spot on the team \u2014 speculation that will be confirmed, or put to rest, come Wednesday\u2019s announcement.<\/p>\n
7. Keegan Bradley (Player-Captain)<\/p>\n
(Photo by Ross Kinnaird\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty Images <\/p>\n
The Bold Gamble
The biggest storyline: Will Bradley pick himself? With a win at the Travelers and solid FedEx Cup play, he has the credentials. A playing captain hasn\u2019t been seen since 1963 (Arnold Palmer), but Bethpage could be the stage for history. As a proud Northeast guy, he may just be the juice that this team needs to get this New York crowd to another level.<\/p>\n
8. Maverick McNealy<\/p>\n
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty Images <\/p>\n
The Dark Horse
McNealy\u2019s resurgence has caught attention, and his mix of accuracy and short-game touch fits well in match play. If Bradley wants a curveball selection, McNealy could be it. His fed-ex playoff finishes were: T-28, 3rd, T-23.<\/p>\n
9. Brian Harman<\/p>\n
(Photo by Jamie Squire\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty Images <\/p>\n
The Grit Factor
A grinder who thrives under difficult conditions, Harman\u2019s bulldog mentality might resonate at Bethpage. He\u2019s lower on the buzz list, but his major championship pedigree keeps him in the conversation.<\/p>\n
10. Chris Gotterup<\/p>\n
(Photo by Andrew Redington\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty Images <\/p>\n
The Jersey Bomber<\/p>\n
With a breakout season that has showcased both talent and poise under pressure he entered his name in the conversation. His recent Rolex Series victory at the Genesis Scottish Open, coupled with a third-place finish at The Open Championship, demonstrates he can compete \u2014 and excel \u2014 against the world\u2019s best on the biggest stages. His fearless and aggressive style of play suggest he could bring fresh energy and a competitive edge to Team USA.<\/p>\n
Jeff Goudy is a golf writer and co-founder of Break80 Golf LLC. He can be found on social media platforms @Break80_Golf<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"On Wednesday, August 27 at 11 a.m. ET, the golf world will tune in to Golf Channel as…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":111502,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[23,72968,23719,3,11383,5758,21,19,22,20,25,24],"class_list":["post-111501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-united-states","tag-america","tag-bethpage-black","tag-keegan-bradley","tag-news","tag-ryder-cup","tag-scottie-scheffler","tag-united-states","tag-united-states-of-america","tag-unitedstates","tag-unitedstatesofamerica","tag-us","tag-usa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=111501"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111501\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/111502"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=111501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=111501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=111501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}