Keegan Bradley has seemingly ruled Phil Mickelson out of a role within the Team USA setup at the 2025 Ryder Cup – but the captain is set to welcome other LIV Golf stars into the fold.
The eligibility concerning LIV Golf stars has overshadowed much debate when it comes to the Saudi-backed circuit’s emergence as a rival to the PGA Tour. Several LIV Golf stars are expected to play at Bethpage Black, two years after give-time major champion Brooks Koepka was its sole representative in Rome.
However, there appears to be no room for LIV Golf’s original defector Mickelson. While Europe captain Luke Donald welcomed the willingness of veteran Sergio Garcia to return to the Ryder Cup, Bradley reiterated what he has previously said – that he does not believe Mickelson is interested in being part of it.
“To be honest, I haven’t gotten that far,” Bradley said. “Personally, I don’t think he’s really interested in doing it. I owe a lot to Phil and I think he’s done so much for the American side of the Ryder Cup but I’m not so sure he’s looking to come in as a vice-captain.”
When LIV Golf launched, many PGA Tour stars – led by Mickelson – agreed to lucrative deals to join the Saudi-backed setup and have gone on to compete for blockbuster purses while playing a reduced schedule. As soon as the breakaway series arrived to unsettle the professional golf landscape, the players who switched to LIV Golf received a tsunami of criticism with Mickelson chief among them.
Regardless, Bradley paid tribute to Mickelson, acknowledging the six-time major champion’s influence on his own career. He added: “Early in my career, I really took for granted Phil’s leadership that he gave me. I was playing with one of the best players ever to touch a golf club… What Phil did for me was create a relaxed atmosphere, and he told me, ‘Don’t worry about putting it four or five feet by. I’ll make them coming back.’ Little stuff like that helped me.
Phil Mickelson’s last Ryder Cup appearance as a player was in 2018 at Le Golf National in ParisPhil Mickelson’s last Ryder Cup appearance as a player was in 2018 at Le Golf National in Paris (Image:Getty Images)“He mentored me before the event. Took me to dinner. He talked to me nonstop throughout the year about the pressures and what would come, and I really learned a lot. It hasn’t been until now that I’ve really realized what an incredible thing it was that he did for me.”
Bradley has already named Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker as vice-captains for next year, but the 38-year-old will likely add up to four more given Zach Johnson had six assistants in Rome a year ago. One thing the leadership team has decided to do is include LIV Golf stars on the team.
“I’m going to take the 12 best players,” Bradley said. “So if we feel like there’s a few guys there, one guy, two guys, whatever it is, then we’re going to do that. But we’re too far out to figure out how this is all going to play out. But we’re definitely going to take the 12 best players, however that shakes out.”
Last month, the PGA of America recently added LIV Golf to its list of approved tours, making members immediately eligible for events like the Ryder Cup as well as the PGA Championship. As a result, the likes of Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm are expected to take part in the 2025 Ryder Cup.
