The most anticipated, controversial, and lucrative Ryder Cup in history continues to get even more wonky on and off the course.
Three months ahead of September’s event at Bethpage Black Golf Course in New York, the possibility of Keegan Bradley being the first playing captain at a Ryder Cup since Arnold Palmer in 1963 has reached a fever pitch.
Bradley, 39, who was named captain of the U.S. team last July after Tiger Woods turned down the role, won the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship on Sunday, which boosted him eight spots up to ninth in the U.S. team Ryder Cup rankings. The top six after the Tour Championship in August automatically qualify for the squad, with Bradley on tap to select the final six to make up the 12-man team.
When he accepted the captaincy, Bradley said he wouldn’t use a captain’s pick on himself, and that he would play only if he qualified for the team. However, on Sunday night, he shifted his stance. “This changes the story a little bit,” Bradley said. “I never would have thought about playing if I hadn’t won. This definitely opens the door to play.”
Money Matters
Bradley playing as captain would no doubt further fuel what is already expected to be a rowdy home American crowd, which has led the PGA of America, which operates the Ryder Cup when it is played in the U.S. every four years, to take special security measures in preparation for unruly fans at Bethpage. On Sunday, the crowds at the Travelers Championship were repeatedly chanting “USA, USA” as Bradley came from behind to defeat England’s Tommy Fleetwood, an expected member of the European Ryder Cup team.
With up to 60,000 people on-site daily, September’s event will easily set revenue records, Ryder Cup championship director Bryan Karns previously told Front Office Sports.
The influx of income comes after tickets quickly sold out last year, despite outcry from many fans and media about the $750 general-admission price tag.
Meanwhile, in a first for the Ryder Cup, players on the U.S. team will receive a $200,000 stipend for competing in the biennial team golf event. Players on the European team, who will continue to not receive any payment, have questioned the need for the Americans to be compensated. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy previously said he “would pay for the privilege to play on the Ryder Cup” team.
