ATLANTA — Keegan Bradley's hectic schedule meant he was rushed in and out of the media center in under 10 minutes for a quick meeting with reporters. But the main topic of conversation in that short time wasn't his recent win at the BMW Championship. No, it was mostly about the Presidents Cup and the possibility that the 38-year-old Bradley might make this year's U.S. team.
Captain Jim Furyk will bolster his U.S. squad on Tuesday with six more players to be selected after this week's Tour Championship. Bradley, next year's Ryder Cup captain, is currently ranked eighth but would do himself and his prospects at Bethpage Black a favor by sitting out this time.
Instead, he should serve as one of Furyk's assistants — Furyk has already named Kevin Kisner, Stewart Cink and Justin Leonard as alternate captains — and adding Bradley would be beneficial for all.
“I think being an alternate captain definitely helps me as captain of Bethpage because it changes your mindset a little bit when you're playing,” Bradley said Tuesday.
“[When you are playing,] It makes me more stressed. I think, “Oh, I've got one more shot hole or one more difficult drive, so everything else is on my mind.”
Bradley has not played in a Ryder Cup since 2014 and has only played in one Presidents Cup, playing for the United States at Muirfield Village in 2013.
It's been 10 years since Bradley was part of the U.S. locker room, and while he hasn't lost his touch or understanding of how those relationships work, he'll be better served by supporting Furyk in his decision-making. Bradley will learn to lead a team in this fascinating tournament and be well-prepared for next fall's Ryder Cup.
But Bradley is currently one of the best Americans on the planet, and he's fourth in the FedEx Cup standings when he arrives at East Lake with a great chance to win the trophy and the $25 million that comes with it.
He knows that too.
“When you're on the ropes in the heat with these guys, you tell yourself how tough this is. Playing in this game and the Presidents Cup will definitely help you if you end up in a situation where you have to play Bethpage,” Bradley said.
“I've thought about it a lot and I think there are pros and cons to both. Whatever happens, you have to figure out how to make the most of it.”
There is also a scenario where Bradley will be selected for next year's Ryder Cup team. He previously said he would not be named captain, so he would have to finish in the top six in the Ryder Cup standings. He nearly made this year's team, finishing eighth in the standings. At last week's BMW Championship, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay and Sahith Teegala finished in the top six to make Team USA. However, Furyk must choose six players to name as captain, and Bradley is one of the candidates.
“You always have to remember they were players too. Jim is a Hall of Fame player. He was explaining the situation to me. I forget if it was the Ryder Cup or the Presidents Cup, but he was in a very similar situation to me. He was an assistant captain but still trying to make the team. So he knows what I'm going through,” Bradley said.
“As for this week [at the Tour Championship]I think different [starting-strokes] “I don't think you should make a decision in a week about whether you're going to play in a month because of the format and stuff like that. But I do feel terrible about putting him in this position. But I want to be as open and honest with him as possible, and he's a great guy.”
Bradley is patriotic and wants the best for his team, but even though he's currently one of the top players on the PGA Tour, watching the Presidents Cup from outside the ropes, giving his opinion to Furyk and learning from some of the best minds out there could help the Americans in the long run.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow For more golf articles, follow us on Twitter Jack Mirko In the same way.
