Bradley’s picks—Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay, and Sam Burns—join automatic qualifiers Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau to complete the 12-man American roster. Notably, Bradley’s choice not to serve as a playing captain marks the first time since Arnold Palmer in 1963 that the U.S. considered such a move, but ultimately prioritized team cohesion and form over sentiment.
In a press conference at PGA Frisco, Bradley explained, “The decision was made a while ago that I wasn’t playing. The last 48 hours, we had the team set. We weren’t scrambling at all. This was a really tough decision. I would say there was a point this year where I was playing—a while ago. All these guys stepped up in a major way and played their way onto this team.”
The six captain’s picks reflect both form and Ryder Cup pedigree. Justin Thomas, making his fourth appearance, brings a 7-4-2 record and has regained top-10 world ranking form after a challenging 2023 season. Collin Morikawa, despite some recent struggles with ball striking and caddie changes, is a two-time major winner and proven match play competitor (4-3-1 in Ryder Cups). Patrick Cantlay, often likened to Europe’s Ian Poulter for his match play prowess, joins for his third Ryder Cup with a stellar 5-2-1 record, even after a winless PGA Tour season but five top-10 finishes.
Ben Griffin and Cameron Young make their debuts. Griffin, currently ranked No. 17 in the world, broke through with two wins this season. Young, a New York native and the 2025 Wyndham Championship winner, is a course-fit for Bethpage Black, having also won the New York State Open here as an amateur. Sam Burns, meanwhile, returns for his second Ryder Cup after earning six top-10s and a runner-up finish this season, and is widely regarded as one of the best putters on tour—a critical asset in match play.
Bradley’s decision not to pick himself was emotional and historic. At age 39 and after being passed over in 2023, the opportunity to play was especially meaningful, but he stated, “I grew up wanting to play Ryder Cups. I grew up wanting to fight alongside these guys. It broke my heart not to play—it really did—but I was chosen to be the captain of this team. My ultimate goal to start this thing was to be the best captain I can be. This is how I felt I could do this.”
The full American roster now features four Ryder Cup rookies (Spaun, Henley, Griffin, Young) and a support team of vice captains including Jim Furyk, Kevin Kisner, Gary Woodland, Webb Simpson, and Brandt Snedeker. Historically, the U.S. has lost 10 of the last 14 Ryder Cups, but all four American victories since 1995 have come on home soil, emphasizing the importance of the home-course advantage at Bethpage Black.
As the U.S. squad finalizes its preparations, all eyes will be on Bradley’s leadership and the performance of this carefully selected team. For more detailed coverage and live updates, visit RyderCup.com or follow the official @RyderCupUSA channel.