Keegan Bradley makes his call on playing in Ryder Cup after Donald Trump sent USA captain stark message

U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley will reportedly pick himself as a wildcard selection after receiving encouragement from President Donald Trump.

‘Keegan Bradley should DEFINITELY be on the American Ryder Cup Team – As Captain!!!’ the President wrote on Truth Social.

The Telegraph’s James Corrigan first reported the news, saying it would be announced officially on Wednesday.

Bradley had been warned against picking himself by former players Sam Torrance and Nick Faldo.

‘I told Keegan to his face he shouldn’t do it, but over here we must hope he does,’ Faldo said, as quoted by Corrigan.

The 39-year-old, ranked No. 13 in the world, has made no secret of his interest in picking himself for the team event. 

‘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. 

‘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 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. 

For Europe, meanwhile, Luke Donald remains captain after leading the team to victory two years ago.  

The Ryder Cup runs from September 26 through September 28 at Long Island’s Bethpage Black Course.