US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley told sports illustrator Wednesday to many players planning to tee at the fall series event in preparation for the American team’s late September showdown with Team Europe at Beth Page Black.
This is a notable decision considering that after Italy’s decisive 16.5-11.5 loss to Europe, the Americans’ preparations for the 2023 Ryder Cup were raised in question.
Most of the US teams did not play competitively between the Tour Championships and the Ryder Cup that year. Stretch for over 4 weeks. Meanwhile, all 12 European players have been sharpened by competing in the BMW PGA Championship two weeks before the Ryder Cup.
Bradley told Sports Illustration that it is not essential, but he hopes players will tee it at the Procol Championship, which will be held in Napa, California, starting September 11, in preparation for the Ryder Cup on Long Island two weeks later.
“No one needs to go,” Bradley told SI. “The boys feel this is the best course of action to be ready to play at the highest level on Beth Page.”
Bradley, the world’s No. 10, said that if he decides to play for a team it would include himself. His strong season, tied to a traveler victory in June, placed him in 10th place in his latest Ryder Cup standings. The top six will automatically qualify for the US team, and six more will be selected by Bradley as team captains for August 27th.
