Staff WriterThe U.S. Ryder Cup Team is officially locked and loaded, with Captain Keegan Bradley unveiling his six captain’s picks that will march into Bethpage Black this September. Joining the already-qualified six are Sam Burns, Patrick Cantlay, Ben Griffin, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas and Cameron Young—an eclectic mix of veterans, rookies, and enough firepower to light up Farmingdale.
The 45th Ryder Cup, running September 23–28, is set to be one of the most raucous editions in history, with New York fans providing the kind of atmosphere that usually requires riot police. And Bradley, in his first turn as captain, has doubled down on balance and grit.
“I am immensely proud to select these six players for the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup Team,” Bradley said. “All six are incredibly talented and deserving of a spot on our team.
Together with the six qualifiers, our team features a strong blend of Ryder Cup veterans and rookies, each bringing unique strengths and experience that will be hugely beneficial in our quest to reclaim the Cup next month at Bethpage Black.”
The Picks That Tip the Scales
Sam Burns, 29, makes his second appearance after debuting in 2023. Known for a putting stroke smoother than Sinatra’s voice, Burns led the PGA TOUR this season in Strokes Gained: Putting (0.924) and ranked first inside 10 feet, which is precisely the sort of nerve-steadying skill you want when Europe’s fans are baying for blood.
Patrick Cantlay, 33, brings ice-cold match play experience. His career Ryder Cup record sits at a tidy 5-2-1, including an unblemished singles slate (2-0-0). He’s the kind of player who looks like he’s waiting for a bus but is quietly dismantling your hopes.
Ben Griffin is the breakthrough story. The 29-year-old rookie claimed two PGA TOUR wins this season—Zurich Classic and Charles Schwab Challenge—and racked up ten top-10s, second only to Scottie Scheffler. His consistency might just make him the dark horse Bradley needs.
Collin Morikawa, meanwhile, is practically a Ryder Cup veteran at 28. With two majors and a 4-3-1 Cup record, he has a knack for precision, ranking second on TOUR in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green. If fairways and greens are your religion, Morikawa is your high priest.
Then comes Justin Thomas, making his fourth Ryder Cup appearance. He’s 7-4-2 all-time, including a spotless 3-0-0 in singles. The man thrives on this stage—think match play bulldog with a killer short game. His 16th TOUR win at the RBC Heritage this season was a reminder that you don’t leave JT at home when the Cup is on the line.
Finally, Cameron Young enters as a rookie with a story straight out of local legend. A New Yorker himself, Young first made history at Bethpage Black in 2017 when he became the first amateur to win the Met PGA N.Y. State Open.
He’s since added his maiden PGA TOUR victory at this year’s Wyndham Championship. If you’re looking for a crowd favourite, the Bethpage faithful will sing his name until the beer runs out.
The Core Six Already Waiting
Bradley’s picks join six who had already booked their spots via points: world No.1 Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau.
Together, the dozen form a team that blends raw youth with scar tissue, which, in Ryder Cup terms, is often the secret sauce.
The Battle Ahead
Bethpage Black is no picnic—long, brutal, and loud. For the U.S. Ryder Cup Team, it’s the perfect stage to claw back the Cup after Europe’s theatrics in Rome.
With veterans like Thomas and Cantlay anchoring the squad and rookies like Griffin and Young bringing fresh blood, Bradley’s lineup feels less like a golf team and more like a 12-man cavalry charge.
Whether they reclaim the Cup remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: this U.S. Ryder Cup Team won’t be short on storylines—or swagger—when the first ball is struck in Farmingdale.
For more about the 2025 Ryder Cup, visit www.rydercup.com.
For more information about the PGA of America, visit www.pga.com.
