In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through the golfing world, former President Donald Trump personally lobbied for Keegan Bradley's inclusion in the US Ryder Cup team, creating an unprecedented political storm in the typically apolitical sport.
Presidential Pressure on the Green
Multiple sources within Team USA's inner circle have confirmed that Trump made direct contact with captain Zach Johnson, vigorously advocating for Bradley's selection as one of his six captain's picks. The intervention occurred despite Bradley's strong qualifications standing on their own merit.
The 37-year-old Vermont native, who claimed victory at the Travelers Championship in June, found himself at the centre of a political maelstrom that divided opinion among players and officials alike.
Johnson's Unenviable Position
Captain Zach Johnson faced immense pressure from multiple angles during the selection process. While Trump championed Bradley's cause, other influential figures within golf pushed for the inclusion of players who had defected to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour.
"It was the most politically charged selection process I've ever witnessed," revealed one senior PGA Tour official who spoke on condition of anonymity. "The captain should be free to make decisions based solely on golfing merit, not external pressure."
The Final Verdict
Despite the presidential endorsement, Johnson ultimately omitted Bradley from his final picks, instead selecting:
- Brooks Koepka
- Jordan Spieth
- Collin Morikawa
- Rickie Fowler
- Sam Burns
- Justin Thomas
The decision to include Koepka marked a significant moment, representing the first LIV Golf player to receive a captain's pick since the tour's controversial launch.
Bradley's Bitter Disappointment
For Bradley, the snub represented a crushing blow to his Ryder Cup aspirations. The 2011 PGA Championship winner had enjoyed one of his most consistent seasons, with eight top-20 finishes including his Travelers Championship triumph.
"This cuts deeper than any professional disappointment I've experienced," Bradley confessed to close associates following the team announcement.
Broader Implications for Golf
The revelation of Trump's intervention raises serious questions about political influence in sport governance. With golf already fractured by the LIV Golf divide, this additional political dimension threatens to further complicate the traditionally straightforward process of team selection.
As the golf world digests this extraordinary development, attention now turns to Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome, where the American team will seek to win on European soil for the first time in three decades—hopefully with sporting merit rather than political pressure determining their fate.
