Owings Mills, Maryland – Keegan Bradley will enter the 14th BMW Championship in the FedEx Cup standings, but will guarantee the spot in the Tour Championship next week, the PGA Tour season finale. There’s a lot of money and fame in the FedEx Cup playoffs, but this week’s top 30 chase has become a secondary topic given that there’s an upcoming Ryder Cup decision Bradley needs to make.
The US captain is No. 10 on the Ryder Cup Points list, and he will have to decide whether to make himself a play captain on a lesser resume this season or postpone it to another player. Bradley was able to separate two jobs year-round, PGA Tour player, Captain of the Ryder Cup – but it’s more difficult to take off the captain’s hat in the week of the tournament, as the top six were locked on Sunday and the captain’s pick occurred shortly afterwards.
“There’s definitely more on my plate over the last few weeks,” admitted Bradley. “The Ryder Cup has always been far apart and is there now, and things are definitely on the rise.
For the past year, Bradley has been able to run down the can. Even on Wednesday, he insisted that no decisions were made, and that he could be honest with him not knowing who his six captain picks will be. However, it’s easier to turn off the captain’s brain in June and July than in August. He is proud to continue to focus on both ends, but as the event gets closer, there is no option for the idea of the Ryder Cup to consume more Bradley’s mind.
“I’m thinking more about it now. I’m lying in bed, thinking about golf balls that guys play with, thinking about pairings, and certainly more,” Bradley said. “I’m really proud to be able to get into the ropes this year and become a player. No one knew what this would turn out. Most people thought it was one of the things I’m most proud of. But it’s proud to beat Hartford. There’s so much on the line, so I want to continue.”
Rory McIlroy said he wouldn’t even be on Wednesday. Enjoy the idea of being a captainQuoting the countless responsibilities that come with captains in the modern Ryder Cup, considering it is growing. The next two weeks could be Bradley’s ultimate test run. Bradley needs to prove that he can do it with the weight of the decision that lies on him.
Scotty Scheffler hugs Keegan Bradley, who plays in the Ryder Cup, and the captain says “exceeded expectations”
Robbie Kalland
The deadline for his decision is soon approaching. Bradley hasn’t done enough for automatic bids, but it’s a haunting place for anyone as he’s clearly done enough to deserve a play spot. If he could perform well in the BMW Championship and Tour Championship – with everything hanging in his head – he could probably calm those concerns about Beth Page Black quite a bit. If he struggled, his play would probably make his decision for him.
Bradley claims that the decision has not yet been made, but provided hints that he would not be ashamed of choosing himself, even if others question it, if they believe it is the right choice.
“(Rory) might be right. We don’t know. No one knows,” Bradley said. “Players can have a good year without being captain. For me, this is one of the best years I’ve ever had. In this example, no one calls.
“I certainly have a lot of concerns, but everyone else has a lot of concerns, but we have the most incredible vice captains, including Jim Furik, who has been on these teams and has been captains multiple times,” Bradley added. “Frankly, I’m leaning more than any other captain anyway, even if I’m not playing. I don’t know if that’s going to happen. I really sit here and don’t know what’s going to happen. I have to look at myself just like any other player trying to make a team.
