Bradley has strong local ties to Bethpage, having played college golf at St. John's University, which is just 24 miles away, and he has shown significant passion for the Ryder Cup.

His journey in the Ryder Cup has been marked by disappointment, having participated in two previous events (2012 and 2014) that ended in U.S. losses, making a victory at Bethpage particularly meaningful.

Keegan Bradley has been selected to lead the U.S. team at the 2025 Ryder Cup, a decision that surprised many in the golf community.

Months of speculation surrounded Bradley's appointment, which was confirmed in July 2024; while initial reactions were mixed, support for the decision grew as it was viewed as inspired.

After a successful 2024 season, including a win at the BMW Championship, Bradley has positioned himself as both captain and a potential player for the team.

At 38, Bradley has a notable history in professional golf, including a previous PGA Championship win, and was seen as a strong candidate for future captaincies, particularly at Bethpage Black.

Bradley demonstrated his capability in team competitions by performing well at the 2024 Presidents Cup, where he achieved a record of 2-1-0 in the American victory.

Initially, Phil Mickelson was viewed as a primary candidate for the captaincy, but after his move to LIV Golf, attention shifted to Tiger Woods, who ultimately could not commit due to other responsibilities.