Jordan Spieth believes Keegan Bradley is playing well enough to be a Team USA playing captain for the Ryder Cup, but it might come at the former’s own expense.
The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black on Long Island is rapidly approaching, and with the PGA Tour schedule hitting its stretch run, it’s time for on-the-bubble players to get in gear.
Spieth, of course, is a longtime Ryder Cup fixture for the Americans. He has played for Team USA in all five competitions since 2014 and has been a major part of two teams that secured the Cup for America.
However, an inconsistent, injury-riddled season might have Spieth on the outside looking in come September, and he joked with Kay Adams that part of him hopes Bradley slows down a little bit and opens the door for someone like Spieth to secure one of the precious six captain’s picks.
Jordan Spieth Laughs About Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup Dilemma
Spieth’s frustrating 2025 season has him way down the Team USA points list, and he’d almost certainly have to get in with a captain’s pick from Bradley. Certainly, Spieth — as a card-carrying member of the Ryder Cup boys’ club — has the cache to make the team if he rounds into form.
However, he thinks Bradley should indeed pick himself if he keeps playing like he is — even if that means it’s one less spot for Spieth to grab.
“As of right now, if he’s playing as a top 12 American player then he should be on that team in my opinion,” Spieth told Adams on her show. ” … If this guy’s going to be one of the best 10 players at that tournament, which is how he’s playing right now, then of course you want him on the team. And that’s me saying that, and I want him not to be because it opens up a pick for me maybe. For the betterment of the team, I think he deserves it right now, and I hope to go steal one of those picks away from him.”
A team captain hasn’t played since 1963.
Bradley Keeps Racking Up Points — Sometimes At Spieth’s Expense
It’s also no secret, based on the interview, Bradley will consider Spieth for the roster. In fact, he might be rooting for the 31-year-old Texan who was a teammate of his on the 2014 squad.
“He and I were both contending a few weeks ago,” Spieth said, “and on the 18th hole, he’s like, he’s always trying to pump me up. He’s like, ‘All right, keep this going kid. Keep this going, kid. We want ya. We want you on that team. Keep it going. Keep it going.’
“And I’m like, Well stop stealing points away from me, man. We just tied this tournament. if you want that, just miss that 5-footer you just made, and I’ll get more points. Like, he’s selfish. He’s selfish. … He just goes out there and wins.”
Bradley certainly has come on strong. Top-10 performances at the PGA Championship and the Memorial sent him shooting up the standings, and his win at the Travelers Championship — another signature event — made the conversation even more legitimate. Another stint at the top of the leaderboard at The Open Championship plus a solid FedEx Cup playoffs run will only strengthen Bradley’s own case.
And at that point, someone on the bubble like Spieth might hope Bradley holds himself to his own word. Bradley insisted he wouldn’t take himself as a captain’s pick, but it’s going to be hard to justify leaving the No. 7 player in the world on the sideline.
‘He’s Selfish!’: Spieth Jokes Keegan Bradley Could Steal Ryder Cup Spot