DORAL, Fla. — Keegan Bradley is certainly keen to step back into the role of captain for the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
“It felt like a piece of my soul was taken away,” Bradley expressed on Wednesday, reflecting on his loss at Bethpage Black in Europe last fall.
Instead of giving Bradley a shot at redemption, however, the PGA of America recently announced that Jim Furyk, 55, will take the helm once again for the U.S. side. Furyk previously led the team during the 2018 World Cup in France but is set to captain the U.S. team at Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027. The U.S. is aiming to break a long-standing streak of European wins on the mainland, having not triumphed since 1993.
“I want another chance—there’s a part of me that feels unfinished. I crave that chance for revenge,” Bradley said after participating in a pro-am round prior to the Cadillac Championship at Trump Doral, his first since Furyk’s name surfaced again. “Jim gets that feeling, and I appreciate it.”
As someone who helped select Furyk for the role, Bradley is a strong advocate for his appointment. “He’s accumulated a ton of experience over the years,” Bradley noted. “We all respect him. I believe a fresh start is necessary here.”
“From my own experience as a losing captain, I think he learns more from defeats than from victories. It’s beneficial to have Jim, who knows what it’s like to lose at the Ryder Cup but also win the Presidents Cup,” Bradley added.
He reminisced about how Furyk remained composed during the early rounds at Bethpage, even with the U.S. team trailing. “I aimed to foster a relaxed environment for our players, and Jim played a big role in that. He helped guide me on the analytical side of captaincy,” he said.
When asked whether people might challenge Furyk’s track record—which includes a 10-20-4 record in the Ryder Cup—Bradley responded, “Players aren’t thinking like that. I’ve seen excitement among them.”
Bradley admired Furyk’s steady leadership style. “Captain Jim is similar to his game—consistent,” he described. “While I can give speeches and boost morale, Jim is just himself.”
Returning as captain in 2027 didn’t come up during discussions, Bradley mentioned. “My close proximity to making the 2025 team might not have been fully anticipated. I ranked highly in the world, but I’m uncertain if they want to revisit that situation.”
Bradley would be “happy” to serve as one of Furyk’s vice-captains in Ireland, although, he noted, “That’s not my decision.” He added that while he hasn’t assumed an assistant captain role yet, he’s still focused on making the team for 2027. “Whether I’m there or not, I plan to support him,” he reaffirmed.
“Jim’s like my hero. I’ll definitely be there for him, and he knows it,” Bradley said, expressing pride in having him as co-captain.
Initially, Tiger Woods was slated to lead the 2027 Ryder Cup team, given his strong ties to Adare Manor and his previous commitment. However, following a recent car accident that required rehabilitation, those plans changed.
Bradley conveyed that he and the fellow players are eager to see Woods captain the U.S. team. “When he’s ready, I’m confident he’ll step up. I would give anything to play for Tiger as my captain. That would be an incredible experience,” he shared.
