Confirmed: Keegan Bradley gets new role to help with Ryder Cup captaincy

Team USA Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley has got a new job. 

On Wednesday, the PGA Tour confirmed Bradley has officially been appointed as one of Jim Furyk's vice captains for the forthcoming Presidents Cup. 

Furyk floated the idea a few weeks ago, suggesting the role could help Bradley prepare for his stint as the Ryder Cup captain. 

In July, Bradley, 38, was announced as the surprise choice to lead the red, white and blue at Bethpage Black next year. 

It was widely expected that either Stewart Cink, Fred Couples or even Davis Love III would reprise the role for next September's contest after Tiger Woods turned it down. 

Bradley's three other Presidents Cup vice captains are Stewart Cink, Justin Leonard and Kevin Kisner. 

The 2024 Presidents Cup will be played over 27-29 September at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Canada. 

Furyk said of Bradley: "Keegan is a tremendous competitor with a bulldog mentality and we are looking forward to having his voice in the team room in Montreal. 

"He has a strong passion for match play competition and I know he will be an asset to our players in 2024, as well as 2025, as he leads them into Bethpage Black for the 2025 Ryder Cup."

For his part, Bradley said he was 'ecstatic' to get the call from Furyk. 

"With the Ryder Cup on the horizon next year, this will be a great experience for me to understand the other side of the team room and how that camaraderie and coaching helps our guys play their best," he added. 

Canada's Mike Weir will lead the International team. 

Weir has selected Ernie Els, Trevor Immelman, Geoff Ogilvy and Camilo Villegas as his vice captains. 

The U.S. side has dominated the Presidents Cup over the years. 

Team USA have won 12 of 14 matches. 

Disbelief 

Bradley's appointment as the Ryder Cup captain was met with widespread shock. 

Rory McIlroy said he was in 'disbelief' at the news. 

And the Northern Irishman also claimed it would be impossible for Bradley to be a playing captain. 

"It's certainly a departure from what the US have done over the last few years, and time will tell if that's a good thing or not," he said. 

Recently McIlroy was spotted playing golf at St Andrews in preparation for the Olympics. 

He was heckled by one spectator about the Ryder Cup and sent back a barb of his own. 

Bradley will be the youngest captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963.

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