Keegan Bradley Should Return as U.S. Ryder Cup Captain

With Tiger Woods out, the PGA of America should stick with a proven leader for the 2027 matches

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:50pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a Ryder Cup golf match, with sharp planes of green fairways, blue water, and red-uniformed players, conveying the competitive energy of the event.A cubist interpretation of the intensity and drama of the Ryder Cup, with the American and European teams locked in a fierce battle on the golf course.Houston Today

In the wake of Tiger Woods's recent car crash, he will not be the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup captain. For the sake of continuity, golf analysts believe Keegan Bradley should get the job again, despite the U.S. team's loss in the 2026 matches.

Why it matters

The U.S. Ryder Cup team has struggled to find consistent leadership, and bringing back Bradley would provide much-needed stability. While the 2026 loss was disappointing, Bradley was well-received in the team room and could make key adjustments for the next competition.

The details

The PGA of America was already considering a new captain for 2027, but Woods's unavailability makes the decision easier. Bradley, who captained the U.S. team in 2026, is seen as a strong candidate to return, despite the team's defeat. Analysts believe he would make changes, such as hiring an analytics specialist similar to Europe's Edoardo Molinari, and the home-course advantage could help the Americans.

  • Tiger Woods was involved in a serious car crash on March 25, 2026.
  • The 2027 Ryder Cup matches are scheduled for late September.

The players

Keegan Bradley

A PGA Tour professional who served as the U.S. Ryder Cup captain in 2026.

Tiger Woods

A legendary golfer who was previously considered a candidate to captain the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2027, but is now unavailable due to injuries sustained in a car crash.

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What they’re saying

“The problem is, does Keegan want to go through this again? The PGA of America was looking for a decision by now. It was getting time to move on anyway and now this makes doing so easier.”

— Bob Harig, Golf Writer

“Why run it back with Bradley? If he continues to be a good player, are we really going to go through the whole 'will he be a playing captain' again? They might not jump off the page, but what about Stewart Cink, Brandt Snedeker, or running it back with Steve Stricker?”

— Max Schreiber, Golf Writer

What’s next

The PGA of America is expected to make a decision on the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup captain in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The U.S. Ryder Cup team needs stability and continuity, and bringing back Keegan Bradley as captain could provide that, despite the team's loss in 2026. While other candidates may be considered, Bradley's previous experience and rapport with the players make him a logical choice to lead the Americans in the next matches.