Donald Trump pressures struggling US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley as he announces he’s attending
Donald Trump has told the US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley that he has to take the unprecedented step of playing in next month’s tournament in New York.
Trump has also confirmed that he will be at the Friday of the tournament at the prestigious Bethpage course, which is around 35 miles away from Manhattan.
Taking to Truth Social on Saturday night, Trump wrote of Bradley: ‘Keegan Bradley should DEFINITELY be on the American Ryder Cup Team – As Captain!!! He is an AMAZING guy. It will be a great Ryder Cup.’
He added: ‘At the invite of the PGA Tour, I will be there on Tournament Friday!!! President DJT.’
But Trump’s comments may well add more pressure on Bradley’s shoulders. The 39-year-old, ranked No 13 in the world, has already made no secret of just how much he is agonizing over the decision on picking himself to play.
‘It’s just really strange for me to be the captain,’ Bradley said on Friday. ‘It’s not something anyone’s really ever gone through.
Donald Trump has confirmed that he will be attending the first day of the Ryder Cup
He told captain Keegan Bradley to play in the tournament – Bradley is agonizing over the call
‘I’m having a very hard time separating right now my captaincy and my play. For the past month it’s been like this, but this week I’m trying so hard.
‘But that’s all I’m thinking about (being captain). Thinking about pairings, certain things I want to say to the guys during the week. It’s just difficult.’
Bradley is competing at the Tour Championship in East Lake, Atlanta this week but admitted he is paying more attention to how his Ryder Cup stars are playing than his own chances.
‘I’ve about had it with this whole thing, so I’m ready to figure out what we’re doing and get our team together,’ he said. ‘I am looking at the board all day, not looking for me. I’m looking for where my guys are. It’s just really odd. That’s a really strange feeling.
‘I’m going to be really happy when this week is over.’
Bradley will announce his six captain’s picks for the tournament on Wednesday afternoon.
And there is a personal element in all this for Bradley, too. He hasn’t played in the Ryder Cup since 2014 and was a surprise omission from the team that lost in Rome in 2023.
If he does decide to compete, he’d be the first playing captain since the legendary Arnold Palmer in 1963.
Scottie Scheffler, JJ Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Harris English, Russell Henley and Bryson DeChambeau have already earned automatic qualification on the US team.
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