Keegan Bradley confirms that LIV Golf players are on his Ryder Cup radar: “I want the best players on the team”

Ryder Cup 2025 USA team captain Keegan Bradley has made several important declarations regarding the inclusion of LIV Golf players. In a recent interview, Bradley hinted that while players like Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka could earn their way onto the team, their inclusion is far from guaranteed.

These statements add a new layer of complexity to the ongoing debate surrounding LIV Golf and its impact on the sport.

Keegan Bradley’s recent comments mark a shift from his previous stance on LIV Golf players. In the past, Bradley has been somewhat cautious about the involvement of players from the breakaway tour in the Ryder Cup.

His position has been shaped by the controversy surrounding LIV Golf’s lack of Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, which complicates the qualification process for these players. Without the ability to earn OWGR points, LIV players are left with limited opportunities to qualify for the Ryder Cup, relying mainly on their performances in major tournaments.

Despite these challenges, Bradley has always emphasized the importance of having the best players on the team:

“I am of the firm belief that I want the best players on the team and next year at this time, who knows what we’re looking at here in terms of LIV and the PGA Tour,” Bradely said. “I am in no private conversations and I know nothing [about the PGA Tour – PIF negotiations]. I’m done with trying to figure this out.”

“I think I owe it to the team to have the best players on the team. Now that could mean LIV players or it could mean it doesn’t. I know there are guys on LIV who are motivated to win the Ryder Cup. I don’t know how that’s going to shake out, I just want the 12 best players.”

This sentiment reflects his desire to put together the strongest possible squad, regardless of where the players come from.

Keegan Bradley and the road to the 2025 Ryder Cup

Keegan Bradley’s evolving stance on LIV Golf players can be better understood when considering his past declarations. In the lead-up to the 2023 Ryder Cup, Bradley was notably left off the team, despite having a stronger season than some of his peers.

This experience has influenced his approach to team selection, making him more determined to ensure that only the most deserving players make the cut. His insistence on selecting the best 12 players, regardless of their affiliation, is a direct response to his own exclusion.

Moreover, Keegan Bradley has been vocal about the challenges of selecting a Ryder Cup team in the current landscape of professional golf. With the ongoing tension between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, the task of assembling a team that can compete at the highest level has become increasingly complex.

Bradley has acknowledged that the situation is fluid, and that he may need to adapt his approach as new developments unfold.

As the captain of the USA team for the 2025 Ryder Cup, Keegan Bradley faces the daunting task of selecting a squad that can reclaim the trophy from Europe. The Americans suffered a 16.5-11.5 defeat at the hands of the Europeans in the 2023 Ryder Cup, a result that has only heightened the stakes for the upcoming competition.

Keegan Bradley’s approach to team selection will be critical in determining whether the USA can bounce back and secure victory on home soil. It should reflects Bradley’s understanding of the complexities involved in building a Ryder Cup squad.

While he recognizes the talent and potential of LIV Golf players, he is also aware of the challenges they face in qualifying for the team. With the majors serving as their only opportunity to earn points, LIV players will need to excel in these events if they hope to make the cut.

Keegan Bradley’s recent declarations on LIV Golf players and the Ryder Cup 2025 highlight the challenges and uncertainties surrounding team selection in the current golf landscape. As the captain of the USA team, Bradley is committed to assembling the best possible squad, but he has made it clear that this will not be an easy task.

With the Ryder Cup just over a year away, the next 12 months will be crucial for players like Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka as they seek to earn their place on the team.