Keegan Bradley explained the decision to omit Phil Mickelson from the 2025 Ryder Cup team (Image: Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Keegan Bradley explained why LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson was not considered as a vice-captain for the Ryder Cup, believing Mickelson pines only for the captain’s spot in the future
Phil Mickelson will not be considered as a vice-captain for Team USA at the 2025 Ryder Cup – because Keegan Bradley does not believe he is interested.
Bradley and Mickelson were paired together and enjoyed great success at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah, helping Team USA take a big lead before Team Europe’s miraculous comeback. Bradley now gets a shot at redemption as captain of the team after Tiger Woods turned down the role.
Bradley admits his memories of playing with Mickelson are among his favorite within the sport. But he ruled out the high-profile LIV Golf rebel for an official role, instead believing he is one day destined to be a future captain himself.
“As it comes to Phil, I still have a great relationship with Phil,” Bradley said. “I don’t think he’s interested in being a vice-captain, and to be honest with you. He’s a captain someday I think.
“But I haven’t spoken to Phil, I don’t want to speak for him at all, but I think he’s pretty busy with what he’s doing.
“I have nothing but great things to say about Phil, our memories together and what we did at the Ryder Cup is, really, my fondest memories in the game.”
Bradley admitted he was stunned to get the call around two and a half weeks ago asking him to be captain. Woods was the odds-on favorite to take the job, but Bradley was next in line – an honor which did not sit entirely comfortably with him.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be more surprised of anything in my entire life,” he said. “I had no idea and it took a while for it to sink in. I wasn’t fully comfortable with some of the people that were passed over.
“I have a lot of respect for the people that’ve come before me and people that deserve to be in this position, so that was a heavy thought and moment.
Asked if he ever considered turning the role down, Bradley added: “No, but I definitely took a bit of time to think about it. I was really honored, it was just such a shock that I needed a little bit of time to just figure out what happened. It took a couple of days for it to set in, really. But I was excited about it from the start.”
While Mickelson is not in contention to be a vice-captain, and no discussions over those roles have taken place, Bradley did declare he plans to take a younger approach. Last year, Zach Johnson selected Steve Stricker, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk, Fred Couples and Stewart Cink as his vice-captains.
“I would say I’m going to take a fresh look at my vice-captains,” Bradley declared. “They’re going to be a lot younger, closer to playing.”
