Xander Schauffele on Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup Captaincy for USA Redemption
Xander Schauffele shares his astonishment at Keegan Bradley becoming the US Ryder Cup captain as they seek redemption post-Rome defeat. Schauffele highlights Bradley’s advantages and suggests a revamped approach for the team. Excitement builds for the 2025 event at Bethpage Black.
Xander Schauffele Surprised by Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup Captain Appointment as USA Seeks Redemption
Xander Schauffele, the world’s third-ranked golfer, expressed his surprise at Keegan Bradley’s selection as the United States Ryder Cup captain for the 2025 event at Bethpage Black. The American team is determined to bounce back from their heavy defeat in Rome last year.
Bradley, who has played on losing Ryder Cup teams in 2012 and 2014, was reportedly chosen over 15-time major champion Tiger Woods for the captaincy role. Schauffele believes that the 38-year-old’s passion for the event and his laid-back off-course persona might be a good fit for the job.
“It’s surprising,” Schauffele said during a pre-tournament press conference at the Genesis Scottish Open. “You typically expect someone that’s a little bit older to get selected as a captain. I think a lot of people were banking on Tiger to do it. He obviously has a lot on his plate.”
Schauffele acknowledged that the US team was thoroughly outplayed in Rome, admitting that he “got throttled” and felt he didn’t perform well until the final round, when it was already too late. However, he believes the players, rather than captain Zach Johnson, should shoulder the blame for the defeat.
The 29-year-old golfer believes that Bradley’s status as a current PGA Tour player could be an advantage, as he will have a better understanding of what his team will need to be at their best at Bethpage. Schauffele hopes that Bradley will be able to reduce the number of mandatory team dinners and other formal events, allowing the players to focus more on their preparation.
“When you get to the team things, it’s the same for both teams, don’t get me wrong, but a good captain will try and cut back that stuff as much as possible and make the week as easy as possible,” Schauffele said.
As the United States team looks to bounce back from their disappointing performance in Rome, the appointment of Keegan Bradley as Ryder Cup captain has caught the attention of Xander Schauffele and the golfing world. The 2025 event at Bethpage Black promises to be an exciting opportunity for the Americans to redeem themselves.
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