Can Jordan Spieth talk U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Keegan Bradley out of playing in the Ryder Cup? That’s what it has come to for the three-time major winner, who still holds aspirations of making the U.S. 12-man team that will face a European side in late September at Bethpage Black.
Bradley, 39, would be the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963 if he were to assume both roles. Bradley won the Travelers Championship in June and enters the week at No. 10 in the U.S. Ryder Cup point standings and ranked No. 10 in the world. Spieth, on the other hand, is mired in 27th place in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings.
“I keep trying to convince Keegan that, you know, it’d be a lot for him to have to play, too, so he probably should give up that pick, even if he is a top 10 player, top seven player in the world,” said Spieth. “It just seems like way too much to have to do! So, trying to open up all the opportunities I can, but I can also go take care of business myself.”
Spieth was joking, but he’s clearly on the outside looking in with limited opportunities to make a final impression for a captain’s pick. He made his comments on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio Wednesday with Carl Paulson and Dennis Paulson.
“Making the Ryder Cup team was my loftiest goal to start the season. I was coming in with almost no carryover points from ‘24, which hurts, and it was unusual for me for a Ryder Cup year. And then obviously skipping the first month of the season and starting late, I just thought, you know, boy, this would be the end goal,” Spieth said. “And the idea that I have a chance for it is very cool.”
Spieth knows he likely is going to have to make a FedEx Cup playoff run all the way to Atlanta and the Tour Championship. A victory in Memphis this week or Baltimore next week would go a long way, but he also hasn’t won in more than three years. His experience and leadership would be valuable for the U.S., but he still needs to show Bradley that his game is up to snuff and ranks among the 12 best to deserve a pick for the U.S. side.
“It’d be incredible. I’ve played in five of ’em. They’re the coolest events that you can play in, in a sport. And I’d love to play in another five if I can or more,” he said. “This one will be special, being at Bethpage. I played the PGA really well there. And obviously, your Long Island crowd and tri-state area, coming and representing your country there, would be the mecca of what you can do for a home game.”
Read the full article here