Keegan Bradley keeps FedExCup, Ryder Cup hopes alive, Trump weighs in on Captain’s Picks

Keegan Bradley isn’t just trying to win a golf tournament right now. The Captain is juggling the end of the FedExCup season with one of the toughest jobs in golf in deciding who makes the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

At East Lake, the 39-year-old stormed up the leaderboard with a Saturday 63 that vaulted him into fourth place at 13-under, just three shots back of Patrick Cantlay and Tommy Fleetwood.

63 and the day’s best round 💪@Keegan_Bradley sits 4th heading into Sunday @TOURChamp. pic.twitter.com/GQLf4uS9tb

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 23, 2025

This came after a grueling week of Ryder Cup duties, a site visit to Bethpage Black, a team dinner, and endless preparation. Somehow, Bradley still found the energy to produce one of his best rounds of the season.

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Keegan Bradley – Captain or Player?

That’s the question hanging over Keegan Bradley.

Arnold Palmer was the last man to serve as a playing captain back in 1963 and Bradley admits the idea has been on his mind.

“I wish he was alive and I could call him,” Bradley said of Palmer. “If I had one thing I wish I could call Arnold and talk to him because I think he’d have some great advice for me.”

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Keegan Bradley’s résumé this season backs it up. He has a win at the Travelers, five top-10s (three in Signature Events), and a T8 at the PGA Championship. He’s currently ranked 13th in the world, 16th in FedExCup standings, and has been increasingly popular among his peers. After being snubbed from the 2023 Ryder Cup, he’s spent the last year galvanizing the U.S. side.

The Pressure of Picks

Keegan Bradley will announce his six captain’s picks this coming Wednesday, and it’s being called the “hardest decision” of his life.

Veterans like Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Collin Morikawa, and Sam Burns all need a pick, while younger names like Ben Griffin, Maverick McNealy, and New York native Cameron Young are knocking loudly at the door.

Bradley knows the pain of being left off a team. His phone call after not being picked in 2023 was one of the most emotional moments in Netflix’s Full Swing. That empathy could play a role in how he fills out his roster.

Naturally, Trump Weighs In…

Adding fuel to the fire, former President Donald Trump announced he’ll be at Bethpage Black for the Ryder Cup and said Bradley should “DEFINITELY” play as captain. Trump’s involvement always brings extra noise, but Bradley’s play might be making the case for him better than any endorsement could.

The President Backs Keegan Bradley

🚨🇺🇸👀 JUST IN — U.S. President Donald Trump says Keegan Bradley should be a playing Ryder Cup captain and added that he will be in attendance on the Friday. @KeegsArmy pic.twitter.com/JqHkSYuS08

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) August 24, 2025

What’s Next

Keegan Bradley still has one more round at East Lake. A win could hand him the FedExCup and all but cement his spot in the Ryder Cup as a player-captain — something golf hasn’t seen in more than 60 years.

One way or another, history is waiting for Keegan Bradley.

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