Keegan Bradley risked being seen as considered one of worst Ryder Cup captains in American historical past as his workforce have been put to the sword by the Europeans over the primary two days at Bethpage Black.
His determination making regarded poor, inflexible and uninspiring as Europe took an enormous 11.5-4.5 lead into Sunday’s singles.
The duty regarded hopeless however Bradley rallied the troops they usually virtually pulled off the match’s most historic comeback.
Virtually.
Regardless of the Sunday fightback, the underside line was that Crew USA suffered their second straight loss and first defeat at house since 2012.
And provided that the USA hasn’t received an away Ryder Cup since 1993, the following captain has all of it on to win again the trophy.
So what are the choices for the People forward of the showdown at Adare Manor in Eire in 2027?
Tiger Woods
You sense the People want an icon to show their depressing away report round they usually don’t come greater than Tiger Woods.
The 15-time main champion has already captained a profitable Presidents Cup workforce on overseas soil, Tiger additionally enjoying in that 16-14 win in Royal Melbourne in 2019.
He’s additionally been a Ryder Cup vice-captain so the following step appears apparent.
And including to the sensation that each one roads result in Tiger, Adare Manor is owned by Woods’ good good friend JP McManus.
Keegan Bradley
Bradley has his critics and admitted his errors at Bethpage – however why not let him take among the classes from that defeat and provides the 2025 skipper one other go?
Luke Donald confirmed some great benefits of being given a second shot and the way in which his workforce performed for him on Sunday recommended Bradley nonetheless had his workforce very a lot onside.
Brandt Snedeker
Snedeker remains to be an lively PGA Tour participant and was considered one of Bradley’s vice-captains at Bethpage.
And he’ll get supreme prep for Adare Manor having been put in as US captain for subsequent yr’s Presidents Cup at Medinah.
A preferred determine within the locker room, Snedeker received 4 factors from six matches throughout his two Ryder Cups so is aware of what it takes.
Steve Stricker
Why not flip to the person who final delivered a Ryder Cup triumph for the US?
And that was no abnormal win. Stricker’s 2021 workforce thrashed the Europeans 19-9 at Whistling Straits.
He was additionally skipper for the 19-11 win over the Internationals within the 2017 Presidents Cup at Liberty Nationwide in New Jersey so has a confirmed observe report.
Webb Simpson
Simpson was considered one of Bradley’s 5 vice-captains at Bethpage Black.
A studious type, Simpson could have made eager observations on what went on with either side and the way he may make it higher.
He additionally performed on a profitable Walker Cup workforce at Royal County Down so has some good reminiscences of Irish soil.
Jim Furyk
Furyk performed in 9 Ryder Cups and likewise skippered the USA on the 2018 version in France.
That didn’t go nicely, Europe profitable 17.5-11.5, however Furyk stays a vastly revered determine in American golf.
It’s additionally price noting that the final time the USA determined to present a shedding captain one other shot, Davis Love overcame the dramatic defeat at Medinah in 2012 by main his nation to victory at Hazeltine 4 years later.
Phil Mickelson
Proper now, this doesn’t look potential given Mickelson’s defection to LIV and outspoken feedback.
However possibly the panorama modifications and if Tiger doesn’t do it, may the PGA America flip to a different absolute legend of the sport?
Certain, it will be left discipline however maybe one thing wild is required to interrupt the sequence of American defeats on European turf.
Who will likely be Crew USA’s subsequent Ryder Cup captain?
Tiger Woods is the clear favorite however possibly he’s good sufficient to grasp that it could possibly be higher for his legacy to be a US captain on house soil the place the People have a far stronger probability of profitable.
If Tiger does swerve it, the door is large open however possibly Sunday’s singles at Bethpage have planted a seed that might see Bradley given the chance for revenge.
