Keegan Bradley goals to be a enjoying captain in subsequent yr’s Ryder Cup after admitting he was shocked to be handed the function utterly out of the blue.

Bradley was a shock alternative to guide the house aspect at Bethpage Black in September 2025 after 15-time main winner Tiger Woods turned it down.

The 38-year-old has instructed Woods he might be “as involved as he wants to be” and admitted he was uncomfortable that a few of his “idols” had been missed.

Stewart Cink and Fred Couples, vice-captains underneath Zach Johnson in 2023, had been considered as extra probably candidates.

“I didn’t have one conversation with anybody about this until I was told I was the captain two weeks ago,” Bradley mentioned, with PGA of America president John Lindert revealing that the choice was taken “with no lobbying” simply three days earlier than Bradley was provided the job.

“I felt humorous after the decision as a result of I don’t assume I reacted in the way in which that they had been anticipating. I used to be in full shock. It was heavy and I used to be somewhat bit uncomfortable with a number of the guys, my idols, that had been appeared over for this place and I wanted a second to determine that out.

“But something Seth [Waugh, PGA of America chief executive] said to me was, ‘your number was called, it’s time for you to step up’.”

Bradley performed on dropping sides in 2012 – profitable his first three matches with Phil Mickelson – and 2014, and was controversially missed for a wild card final yr having gained twice on the PGA Tour.

The second he was given the dangerous information by Johnson was captured on Netflix documentary “Full Swing”, with Bradley admitting he was “crushed”.

“It took me a while to get over that, we were devastated, my whole family,” Bradley mentioned at a press convention in New York.

“I bleed pink, white and blue and I used to be thrilled to have the ability to watch these guys and I used to be pulling for them. It was a bizarre feeling figuring out that I might have been there and perhaps helped the staff, however I do know what a tricky determination Zach had.

“I’ve only been the captain for two weeks and I find myself staring at the ceiling at 2am thinking about every single situation, so I have a different perspective now and I have nothing but admiration and respect for Zach Johnson.”

Bradley believes enjoying on the PGA Tour together with his potential staff members will assist make up for a scarcity of captaincy expertise however insisted he wouldn’t choose himself.

“I want to play on the team. I feel as though I’m still in the prime of my career,” Bradley mentioned.

“I’m not going to select myself. The solely approach that will occur is that if the staff was insisting on it. But even when they did, I don’t see that occuring.

“I want to make the team on points, otherwise I’m going to be the captain.”

Woods gave a brief assertion which was learn out throughout the press convention and will likely be a heavy favorite to captain the aspect at Adare Manor in 2027.

“With my new responsibilities to the [PGA] Tour, and time commitments involved, I felt I would not be able to commit the time to Team USA and the players required as a captain,” Woods mentioned.

“That does not mean I wouldn’t want to captain a team in the future. If and when I feel it is the right time, I will put my hat in the ring.”

Bradley mentioned: “I’ve instructed him he might be as concerned as he desires to be. We all look as much as Tiger and his opinion means lots to us.

“The public doesn’t realise how important this is to him. He lives and breathes this event and I think it shows you how much he cares by turning this position down because he didn’t feel like he could put in what he needed to.”

Bradley believes his former accomplice Mickelson has no real interest in being considered one of his vice-captains however will nonetheless captain the aspect sooner or later regardless of his transfer to LIV Golf, with Bradley glad to pick out gamers from the Saudi-funded breakaway.

“I’m going to have the 12 best players on the team. I don’t care where they play,” Bradley mentioned.

“We have a mission to win this event. I’m not apprehensive concerning the LIV stuff. By the time we get to Bethpage in 2025 now we have no clue how the format of the golf world’s going to be.

“As it comes to going to LIV events [which Johnson refused to countenance], if there’s guys that are on the fringe, I’m willing to do that.”