Keegan Bradley risked being seen as one of the worst Ryder Cup captains in U.S. history as his team was sent to the sword by Europeans in the first two days at Bethpage Black.
When Europe led Sunday’s singles at 11.5-4.5, his decisions looked terrible, rigid and unwavering.
The mission seemed hopeless, but Bradley assembled the troops and they almost got rid of the most historic comeback of the game.
almost.
Despite Sunday’s blow, most importantly, the United States has lost for the second straight time since 2012 and lost for the first time at home.
Given that the United States has not won the Ryder Cup since 1993, the next captain went all out to win the trophy.
So, what options do Americans have before the showdown in Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027?
Tiger Woods
You will feel that Americans need an icon to turn their miserable records around, and that their record is no bigger than Tiger Woods.
The 15-time champion has already won a victorious Presidents Cup team on foreign lands, and Tiger also won 16-14 in 2019 at Real Melbourne.
He is also the vice captain of the Ryder Cup, so the next step seems obvious.
Apart from feeling all the roads lead to tigers, Adare Manor is owned by Woods’ best friend JP McManus.
Keegan Bradley
Bradley has critics and admits his mistakes at Bethpage – but why not let him learn some lessons from his failure and give another one to Captain 2025?
Luke Donald showed a second shot, and the way his team played for him on Sunday showed that Bradley is still very well on his side.
Brandt Snedeker
Snedeker remains an active PGA Tour player and is one of the Bradley vice captains of Bethpage.
And, he will get the ideal preparation for Adare Manor as Captain America at the Presidents Cup in Medinah next year.
Snedeker was a popular figure in the locker room, with his two Ryder Cups scoring four points in six games, so knowing what it takes.
Steve Stricker
Why not turn to the person who brought the last Ryder Cup victory to the United States?
That’s not an ordinary victory. Stricker’s 2021 team beat the Europeans 19-9 in the Whistle Channel.
He is also the captain of Liberty National’s 2017 Presidents Cup defeating international players 19-11, so he has a good record.
Webb Simpson
Simpson is one of the five deputy captains of Bradley at Bethpage Black.
Simpson is a hardworking person who is about what is going on both sides and how he makes things better.
He also played on a winning Walker Cup team in Royal County, so he had some good memories of the Irish soil.
Jim Furyk
Furyk competed in nine Ryder Cups and stood out in France’s 2018 edition.
This is not the case, with Europe winning 17.5-11.5, but Furyk is still a very respected figure in the U.S. golf course.
It is also worth noting that the last time the United States decided to lose the captain again, Davis Love won the Hazeltine after four years in 2012, overcame the dramatic failure of Medinah in 2012.
Phil Mickelson
For now, this looks impossible given Mickelson’s defection to liv and outspoken comments.
But maybe the landscape has changed, if the tiger doesn’t, can PGA America turn to another absolute legend of the game?
Of course, this will be left over, but maybe some wildness is needed to break the order of American failure on European turf.
Who will be the next Ryder Cup captain for Team USA?
Tiger Woods is an obvious favorite, but maybe he is smart enough to realize that his legacy can be the captain of the American captain in a home where Americans have a greater chance of winning.
If the tiger does turn, the door will be open, but maybe the singles on Bethpage have planted seeds on Sunday to see Bradley have a chance to take revenge.
