NEW YORK — For the second year in a row, issues with LIV Golf and the role the Saudi-backed circuit plays in the qualifying process lurk in the background for the Ryder Cup for the second year in a row.
Who will play from LIV Golf? You have to think about Bryson DeChambeau, the reigning US Open champion, playing for the US team. We also have to assume that if Brooks Koepka stays healthy through 2025, he will stay healthy as well. It will be difficult to remove the five-time major champions from the U.S. roster, and the team faces tremendous pressure to win back the Cup at home in Bethpage Black.
Nevertheless, during Tuesday's “Press Conference of the Year” at the Times Center in midtown Manhattan, Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley reaffirmed his position on LIV golfers.
“We're going to bring 12 of our best players,” Bradley said.
“So if we feel like there's a few people out there, one, two, we'll do that. But we're too far out to understand how this is going to play out. But we're definitely going to get the best 12 players, whatever happens.”
One of the architects of LIV Golf, Phil Mickelson, played with Bradley in the 2012 and 2014 Ryder Cups and is a six-time major winner.
“Early in my career, I really took for granted the leadership that Phil gave me,” Bradley said of Mickelson.
“I was playing with one of the greatest players to ever touch a golf club…What Phil did for me was create a relaxed atmosphere, and he said to me, “You don't have to worry about putting it 4-5 feet closer.” I'll make them come back. ” Little things like that helped me. We received detailed guidance before the event. He took me out to dinner. He talked to me tirelessly all year about the pressure and what was going to happen and I really learned a lot. Only now did I realize how wonderful what he had done for me. ”
Professional golf has changed a lot since Mickelson coached Bradley back then. Mickelson has come to champion the cause of LIV Golf while wanting to “reimagine the way the PGA Tour operates.” he told Alan Shipnack in a 2022 interview.. Both of these developments have since become reality. However, opinions remain divided at the highest level of sport.
Speaking of which, after the press conference, christopher powers golf digest Bradley was asked if he envisions Mickelson's role in next year's Ryder Cup.
Bradley largely ruled out that possibility.
“To be honest, I'm not that far along, but I don't think he's really interested in it,” Bradley said.
“I owe you a lot. [Mickelson]And I think he's done a lot for the U.S. Ryder Cup team, but I'm not sure if he's going to be co-captain. ”
Bradley has already named Webb Simpson and Brant Snedeker co-captains for next year. Considering Zach Johnson had six assistants in Rome a year ago, he'll likely add two to four more. Meanwhile, captain Jim Furyk scored four goals for Montreal in the Presidents Cup last month.
“I have two vice-captains that I named, but I had to pause everything during the Presidents Cup because I was really nervous to play and both Because I couldn't think of it.” [that and the Ryder Cup]' added Bradley.
“But now we're going to strengthen the vice-captains, the team and everything else. So we're not there yet. But we're starting to think about it seriously.”
But already in his mind is the idea that Mickelson won't be co-captain.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
