Keegan Bradley's 2025 Ryder Cup Vice Captains — Experience That Could Deliver Team USA Victory
The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black is already generating serious buzz, and U.S. captain Keegan Bradley has put together a vice-captain lineup that's pretty impressive on paper. With Gary Woodland rounding out the group as his fifth and final vice captain, Bradley has assembled a brain trust that mixes major championship wins, Ryder Cup battle scars and the kind of competitive fire that could make all the difference come September.
Advertisement
Jim Furyk: The Voice of Experience
Nobody on this team knows the Ryder Cup like Jim Furyk. The guy played in nine of them and captained the 2018 team in Paris — and yeah, that one didn't go so well for Team USA. But here's the thing: losing that badly might actually make Furyk more valuable, not less. He's seen what can go wrong when everything's on the line, and his steady, analytical approach could be exactly what Bradley needs when the pressure cooker gets turned up to 11.
U.S. team captain Jim Furyk is seen during the final round of the Presidents Cup on Sept. 29, 2024, in Ile Bizard, Quebec.Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Kevin Kisner: The Energy Guy
If you've ever watched Kisner play, you know he's got that scrappy, never-say-die attitude that Ryder Cup teams thrive on. The man knows how to grind out points when matches get tight, and he's been through the team competition wringer with Presidents Cup experience. Plus, Kisner's the kind of straight shooter who can tell a player exactly what they need to hear — whether it's a pep talk or a reality check.
Advertisement
Team USA member Kevin Kisner drinks from the Presidents Cup trophy at Quail Hollow Club on Sept. 25, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina.Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Webb Simpson: Mr. Reliable
Simpson won the 2012 U.S. Open at Olympic Club, so he's been there when it counts. What makes him valuable isn't just the major championship — it's how methodical and consistent he's been throughout his career. In match play, where one bad hole can derail everything, having someone who can help players think through strategy and stay level-headed is huge. Simpson's that steady voice in the storm.
Webb Simpson, winner of the 112th U.S. Open, is pictured at The Olympic Club on June 17, 2012, in San Francisco.Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Brandt Snedeker: The Pressure Player
Snedeker's played in multiple Ryder Cups as a player, so he gets what it's like when 40,000 people are screaming and every putt feels like it weighs a thousand pounds. His putting has always been elite, and he's got that analytical mind that can break down opponents and course conditions. When Bradley needs someone to help prep players for specific matchups, Snedeker's your guy.
Advertisement
Team USA member Brandt Snedeker addresses the media at the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on Sept. 28, 2016, in Chaska, Minnesota. John David Mercer-Imagn Images
Gary Woodland: The Bridge Builder
Here's where Bradley got creative. Woodland won the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and earned the PGA Tour's Byron Nelson Award for his character and charitable work. But more importantly, he's still out there competing week to week. That means he can relate to the current crop of players in ways the other vice-captains might not. He's the bridge between the veteran leadership and the young guns who'll actually be teeing it up.
Gary Woodland is seen with the championship trophy after winning the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 16, 2019.Rob Schumacher-Imagn Images
Why This Group Works
What's smart about Bradley's picks is how they cover all the bases. You've got experience (Furyk), energy (Kisner), reliability (Simpson), clutch performance (Snedeker) and current relevance (Woodland). Each guy brings something different to the table, which means Bradley can match the right voice to the right player at the right moment.
Advertisement
The Ryder Cup isn't just about having 12 great golfers — it's about having the right leadership to maximize what those 12 guys can do together. With Bethpage Black providing home-field advantage and this experienced crew providing the guidance, the Americans look like they're setting themselves up for success.
Come September, we'll find out if all this veteran wisdom translates to points on the board.
Related: Aldrich Potgieter's Victory Proves Professional Golf's Next Generation Has No Fear
Related: Let's Talk About Why Keegan Bradley Should Be Ryder Cup's First Playing Captain in 62 Years
Related: Allow Me to Introduce Myself
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Chelsea reach Club World Cup semi-finals as late own goal downs Palmeiras
Chelsea scored a fortuitous late own goal to snatch a 2-1 victory over Palmeiras and reach the Club World Cup semi-finals. Extra time was looming at Lincoln Financial Field when Malo Gusto's cross took deflections off Agustin Giay and goalkeeper Weverton and ended up in the back of the Brazilians' net in the 83rd minute. Advertisement The London side had led early on through Cole Palmer but were pegged back by a superb strike from Estevao Willian, the 18-year-old winger who will join them after the tournament. Palmeiras had been threatening to finish the stronger but Gusto's late stroke of luck ensured it was Chelsea who went through to face Fluminense in the last four. The contest was played in vibrant atmosphere with the crowd, perhaps helped by the dynamically-priced tickets having dropped as low as £8 earlier in the day, an impressive 65,782. That was despite the counter-attraction of a free Independence Day concert and firework display in downtown Philadelphia – albeit one for which headline act LL Cool J pulled out. Advertisement The soundtrack to the evening was provided by the constant drumbeat and singing of Palmeiras' sizeable following. It was a noise Chelsea could not silence but, despite being forced into a late reshuffle after captain Reece James was injured in the warm-up, they settled the quickest. Pedro Neto started despite having considered missing the game following the death of his Portugal team-mate Diogo Jota, the Liverpool forward, and he held up a shirt bearing his name, and that of his brother Andre Silva, during a pre-match moment's silence. Palmer had already forced a good save from Weverton when he opened the scoring following a fine run and finish on 16 minutes. Cole Palmer, left, had opened the scoring (Chris Szagola/AP) The England international wrong-footed a defender with a quick turn and he then swerved past another challenge before delivering a left-foot shot into the bottom corner. Advertisement Chelsea could have increased their lead as Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez tested Weverton and Trevoh Chalobah and Christopher Nkunku missed the target. With Cucurella giving Estevao a tough time until this point, Palmeiras struggled to create openings. They finally threatened just before the interval but Robert Sanchez comfortably saved Vanderlan's header and Bruno Fuchs nodded over after the restart. It proved the start of a good spell for the Sao Paulo side and the equaliser came as Estevao took a pass from the right and lashed in a shot from a tight angle. It was a stunning finish and Chelsea immediately responded by sending on Joao Pedro for his debut following his £60million move from Brighton. Advertisement Chelsea had a scare when Allan drove narrowly wide and Levi Colwill needed to make a last-gasp interception prevent another Palmeiras chance. But they had a good opportunity themselves when Cucurella shot over and then edged in front when Gusto's cross took a ricochet and fooled Weverton. It was a decisive blow and Noni Madueke almost added a third when his late shot was tipped onto the post by Weverton. Liam Delap and Colwill will miss the semi-final after being booked.
Associated Press
27 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Thommy and Joveljic each score a goal, Pulskamp has 8 saves to help Sporting KC beat Rapids
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) — Erik Thommy had a goal and an assist, Dejan Joveljic also scored a goal and John Pulskamp had eight saves on Friday night to help Sporting Kansas City beat the Colorado Rapids 2-1. Kansas City (6-10-5) beat the Rapids on the road for the first time since a 3-2 victory on March 29, 2014. Sporting is 6-20-13 all time in road games against Colorado. The Rapids (7-9-5) had 62% possession and outshot Kansas City 25-5. Thommy stole a misplayed pass played by goalkeeper Nico Hansen and rolled a pass to Joveljic at the left corner of the 6-yard box for a first-touch finish to open the scoring in the fourth minute. Thommy won a ball from Keegan Rosenberry at the edge of the attacking third, raced toward goal before he cut inside and slipped a low shot from just outside the penalty box inside the right post to make it 2-0 in the 53rd. The 30-year-old Thommy, who scored a goal in a 1-1 tie with Real Salt Lake on Saturday, has a goal in back-to-back games for the first time this season and the second time in his career. Joveljic has 12 goals this season — third most in MLS. The 25-year-old forward scored a career-high 15 goals and helped the LA Galaxy to an MLS Cup championship last season. Rafael Navarro converted from the penalty spot in the 89th minute for the Rapids. The 25-year-old forward has scored a goal in back-to-back games. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Quero hits 1st homer to back Houser's gem as White Sox edge Rockies in matchup of MLB's worst
DENVER (AP) — Adrian Houser allowed two hits in eight innings and rookie catcher Edgar Quero hit his first major league home run — a tiebreaking solo shot in the sixth that sent the Chicago White Sox past the Colorado Rockies 3-2 on Friday night. Rookie reliever Grant Taylor gave up a two-out single to Mickey Moniak in the ninth before striking out Ryan McMahon for his third save. Advertisement In a matchup between the two worst teams in the majors, Houser (4-2) permitted two unearned runs on four hits and two walks. He hasn't yielded more than three runs in any of his eight starts this season. The veteran right-hander was coming off seven sharp innings in a 1-0 win over the Giants that Taylor also saved. Andrew Benintendi and Miguel Vargas opened the fourth with singles against Antonio Senzatela (3-12), and Quero walked to load the bases. Michael A. Taylor's two-out single gave Chicago a 2-0 lead. Michael Toglia doubled in the fifth and scored on a throwing error by third baseman Josh Rojas. Tyler Freeman doubled to tie it at 2. Quero gave Chicago the lead with a 401-foot drive to right field — before getting the silent treatment from his teammates when he returned to the dugout. Advertisement Senzatela leads the majors in losses after allowing three runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Key moments White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery had a memorable big league debut after being called up from Triple-A Charlotte. He became the second player since 1920 to reach on catcher's interference in his first plate appearance, then made a diving, over-the-shoulder catch to end the second inning. He finished 0 for 2 with a walk. Key stat Chicago (29-59) kept the Rockies (20-68) from winning back-to-back home games for the first time this season. Up next White Sox RHP Jonathan Cannon (2-7, 4.59 ERA) starts Saturday opposite Rockies RHP Germán Márquez (3-9, 5.62). ___ AP MLB: The Associated Press
