Many thought Stewart Cink would be the next Ryder Cup captain for Team USA if Tiger Woods said no.
Cink, a five-time Ryder Cup player and former vice-captain, seemed like a strong choice. He even won the 2009 Open Championship and has top-three finishes in other Majors.
But when Woods declined, Cink still wasn’t picked.
Keegan Bradley’s Unexpected Appointment
Instead of choosing Cink, the PGA of America surprised everyone by naming Keegan Bradley as the new Ryder Cup captain. Bradley is still active on the PGA Tour and wasn’t on anyone’s radar for this role.
Reacting to this news at the Scottish Open, Cink admitted he felt let down but expressed support for Bradley. “I’m disappointed that I wasn’t chosen to be the captain,” he told Golf Channel. “But I love the United States and I love the players.”
Cink praised Bradley’s energy and skills: “Keegan has got great energy, he’s still playing great, and he’ll do a really good job.”
Fans might think it’s strange to pick someone so unexpected.
When asked about this new direction by PGA of America, Cink speculated it could signal a shift in strategy but admitted he didn’t know much about it. “Could be,” he said thoughtfully.
Bradley will be 39 when he leads Team USA in September 2025, making him one of the youngest captains since Arnold Palmer in 1963.
Reflecting on Bradley’s selection despite his lack of assistant roles before: “He’s played some teams… won PGA Championship… those count.”
What do you think?
