Major Ryder Cup rule change as Team Europe captain Luke Donald gives approval to USA request to avoid ‘bad blood'
That is another sign that Europe fancy their chances of becoming the first team to win away from home since they pulled off the Miracle at Medinah 13 years ago if Bradley takes on a dual role.
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Luke Donald has approved a Ryder Cup rule change
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Keegan Bradley could become a player captain
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Vice captains are banned from handing out advice or making contact with players during matches under the existing rules.
But European captain
European insiders have said Donald gave his approval to the American request because he did not want any 'bad blood' between the teams, before they clash at New York's Bethpage Black cauldron in September.
But privately Donald and his team hope Bradley might take his eye off the ball, while juggling his duties as the Ryder Cup's first player-captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963.
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Bradley had originally said he would only play if he was one of the six USA players to qualify automatically. He insisted he would not be one of his six captain's picks.
But his stellar form over the last couple of years has seen him climb to seventh in the world rankings.
And even though he slipped from ninth to tenth on the American Ryder Cup list after finishing in a tie for 30th place at the Open, he clearly feels he is playing too well to simply stand aside.
Bradley has also confirmed LIV star
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DeChambeau is currently fifth on the points list despite playing a limited schedule.
But he will not feature in any more qualifying events because of his LIV duties, and some of his rivals could leapfrog him during the FedEx Cup play-offs.
Bryson DeChambeau reveals he used to beat Scottie Scheffler for fun as world No1 chases Open glory
Bradley told Sports Illustrated: "Bryson is going to be a very important piece to us winning the Ryder Cup. He brings so much.
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'He brings energy, passion but most importantly, he's one of the best players on the planet."
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Bradley offered an update on Bryson DeChambeau
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You can follow David's work at DeepDiveGolf If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this piece, you can visit Written by Gavin Cooney and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
