Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau said they are in full support of the PGA of America's decision to appoint Keegan Bradley as captain of the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup team. "I was surprised at the pick, and I think it's a great pick the more I think about it," Mickelson told reporters Wednesday ahead of the LIV Golf Andalucia event at Real Club Valderrama in Sotogrande, Spain. "He played a lot of golf at Bethpage when he went to St. John's. His passion for the Ryder Cup is greater than just about any player I've ever seen. His love for the Ryder Cup is more than anybody I know. I think he's going to lead with that type of passion. "I think he's incredible. I'm really, really happy for him. I think we all are really happy for him knowing how gut-wrenching it was to not be part of the team last year, but to now have the opportunity to lead and go forward I think is great." DeChambeau also was receptive of the decision, as well as Bradley's claim to include the 12 best golfers regardless of which tour they play on. "Yeah, look, I'm excited for him," DeChambeau said. "I think it's a great opportunity for him, especially as it relates to younger players. He's going to see that younger threshold, and obviously relate to them a lot more, I would say, because of his age. I mean, what is he, 38 or something like that? So yeah, he's seeing the younger generation game. He's out there still playing and competing and it's great to have some relatability. "As far as picking the best players, that's the right approach and I couldn't be more happy for him as captain." Bradley, 38, was named the U.S. Ryder Cup captain for 2025 on Monday. The biennial competition will take place from Sept. 26-28, 2025, at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y. Bradley succeeds Zach Johnson, who captained the Americans last fall when they lost to Team Europe in Rome. Bradley participated in the Ryder Cup in 2012 and 2014. He nearly played his way onto the team in 2023 but came up short. Bradley won the 2011 PGA Championship and was named the tour's Rookie of the Year that year. He has six PGA Tour wins in his career, also including the 2018 BMW Championship during the FedEx Cup playoffs and the 2023 Travelers Championship. --Field Level Media
Apr 5, 2023; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Phil Mickelson (left) and Bryson DeChambeau (center) talk on the third hole during a practice round for The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Network