Keegan Bradley sticks to his word with first Ryder Cup decision

Keegan Bradley claimed he was going to take 'a fresh look at vice captains' when he was given the honour of leading Team USA at the 2025 Ryder Cup. 

And it appears he is a man of his word after the PGA Tour golfer named Webb Simpson as his first vice. 

"Webb is someone who I have long admired and respected as a competitor and friend," Bradley said. 

"He possesses a wealth of team golf experience and knows what it takes to win. 

"Webb will be a valuable member of our leadership team and a trusted resource for me as we prepare for Bethpage Black next September."

Simpson has won seven times on the PGA Tour and played in three Ryder Cups (2012, 2014 and 2018). 

He has an overall Ryder Cup record of 4-4-1 and was also part of three Presidents Cup teams. 

Simpson will be 38 years old when the U.S. attempt to claim back the Cup after they were comfortably beaten in Italy last September. 

The average age of Zach Johnson's five vice captains was 47. 

It was widely anticipated that the captaincy would be given to either Fred Couples or Stewart Cink after Tiger Woods formally rejected the role. 

There was even chatter that Davis Love III could be given the captaincy again. 

Woods cited his commitments on the PGA Tour's policy board, along with the launch of TGL, as the primary reasons why he wasn't able to take over from Johnson. 

He also appeared somewhat agitated when a reporter asked him in his news conference before The Open if he would entertain the idea of being one of Bradley's vice captains. 

"He hasn't asked me," Woods said bluntly. 

"I am honoured to be chosen by Keegan to serve as a vice captain in 2025," Simpson said. 

"Competing in three Ryder Cups will forever be among my career highlights. 

"I have no doubt that Keegan will be a fantastic captain and a tremendous leader, and could not be more excited to get to work as we seek to reclaim the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black."

Bradley was seen as a surprise pick because of his lack of leadership experience. 

But in his first news conference he didn't seem to concerned about that topic. 

"I’m going to be playing week-to-week, I’ll be alongside these guys in the locker room, practice rounds, dinner," Bradley said. 

"As opposed to in the past with the Ryder Cup they got to fly in, they got to schedule all these things and I’m going to have a year of being with the guys as a peer."

Bradley has also vowed to pick the strongest team available, which will be welcome news to LIV Golf players such as Bryson DeChambeau. 

How Ryder Cup Europe reacted to Keegan Bradley's appointment

Bradley's counterpart, Luke Donald, is still in the early stages of his preparations. 

Donald has already named two vice captains: Thomas Bjorn and stats guru Edoardo 'Dodo' Molinari. 

The Englishman was surprised at Bradley's appointment.

During The Open broadcast, Donald said: "It was surprising because he is still playing at a very high level of golf, he’s in the top 20 in the world, won last year and the year before. 

"He had every chance to be on the team in Rome last year. I think we could all say he was unlucky and could have certainly been picked to be on that team.

"But in a certain way he’s very passionate about the Ryder Cup. I played against him a couple of times and at Medinah you could see the passion and how much it meant to him.

"He loves the event and I'm sure he will bring that passion to his captaincy. I also know him well, so it will be nice to enjoy the next 14 months together as we head to New York."

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

"I think Keegan was probably in disbelief at some point too, but [it is] certainly an interesting pick. 

"Definitely I think a surprise for everyone. But he knows Bethpage very well."

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