Keegan Bradley was named as the Team USA Ryder Cup captain for this year’s event at Bethpage, but Rory McIlroy’s former manager believes the hosts have made a major error
Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler has criticised Team USA for their decision to appoint Keegan Bradley as this year’s Ryder Cup captain. And that goes double if American golf star Bradley ends up playing for the team himself.
While it’s not uncommon for Ryder Cup captains to participate in the tournament, it’s traditional for the two leaders to remain as spectators. Luke Donald will reprise the same observer role that led him to guide Team Europe to victory in Rome two years ago, having been re-elected as captain for 2025.
However, Chandler, who managed Rory McIlroy when he clinched his first major title in 2011, predicts Bradley won’t be able to resist the urge to play a more active role. And he believes this could hinder Bradley’s ability to lead the host team effectively.
“It all seemed a bit hasty when they picked Keegan Bradley,” Chandler told Betway. “They didn’t think Tiger Woods was going to say no, so they suddenly picked a guy that is way too young to be Ryder Cup captain. He’s probably 10 years too young and certainly didn’t consider him playing, and he obviously in his head never ever thought he wouldn’t play.
“So he’s accepted the job, but actually in his head he thinks, ‘I’ll make up for the last time, I’ll get in,’ so they’ve got a terrible problem.
“My guess is they know what’s going to happen there and that they know he’s gonna pick himself, and they know he’s gonna give it over to a vice captain or Tiger Woods, or whoever it is. They must have a plan. They can’t be that stupid not to have a plan already.
“You can’t play. Definitely not. Just too much of everything. Can you imagine him coming down the 12th, trying to decide to leave Jordan Spieth out or something like that? You can’t do that. I think then he wants some sort of guarantee that he was going to be captain next time.”
Bradley, 39, is hovering around the qualifying threshold and presently occupies 11th position in the Team USA wildcard standings. His only victory this season came at the Travellers Championship in June, whilst he also secured a T8 finish at the PGA Championship, a tournament he captured back in 2011.
Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele, JJ Spaun, Russell Henley and Harris English have already secured their places in the Team USA squad. This leaves six remaining wildcard positions, which will be revealed on Wednesday, one month before the Ryder Cup commences, reports The Mirror US.
Chandler was collaborating with McIlroy when he claimed the first of his five Ryder Cup victories to date in 2010.
The former European Tour competitor, who branded his former pupil an “underachiever” despite securing the Grand Slam earlier this year, understands a thing or two about decision-making in golf, and while he praised Bradley, he reckons Team USA has mishandled this part of proceedings.
“They’ve handled it terribly, haven’t they? It’s absolutely bonkers because he’s as tough as old boots, you know, Keegan,” Chandler said. “He’s as tough as they come. He’s the kind of player and captain you need. He’s both. He’s a tough guy.
“He could have too many people in his ear. If he’s captain without playing, he’s not a problem because, he’ll be able to control that. He’ll have that sorted. You might even think Gary Woodland would be a good captain, and he’s come in as the last pick.
“Maybe that’s why he’s in? I don’t know what they think. But he certainly can’t do both, and he certainly will play. If he plays the last six weeks, then he’s got to play. It’ll be fine but it’s just a mess, though, isn’t it? That’s one of the biggest things that Europe have got going for them.”
Donald, 47, is set to lead Europe across the Atlantic next month, aiming to become the first visiting captain to secure a victory on US soil since Jose Maria Olazabal achieved this feat in 2012.
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