Golf is a sport of custom. That a lot is apparent.
Past custom, golf is a sport of honor and integrity. That’s well-known.
When you by some means consider that Keegan Bradley, the US Ryder Cup Captain, enjoying within the occasion violates both of those two rules then I’m not positive what you’re tethered to actuality with.
Many are well-aware of how there may be precedent for a captain to play within the Ryder Cup. These individuals level out that it hasn’t occurred in a very long time, although. That performs to the normal facet of issues.
However does this make the thought of Captain Keegan enjoying mistaken? He simply received the Vacationers, albeit partly due to Tommy Fleetwood being unable to seal the deal, and has completely been enjoying like among the best gamers and particularly People on the earth for the time being. What logic is there to disclaim him from enjoying whereas he’s additionally coordinating issues for the American facet?
We’ve got reached some extent with July in placing distance the place Keegan’s standing, partly due to his win in New England, greater than justifies a spot on the crew. If he weren’t the US captain then we might be demanding his inclusion.
The very best half about this concept is that Keegan appears effectively conscious of all of it. That is how a captain operates.
Bradley, now an eight-time winner on the PGA Tour, is predicted to maneuver to ninth within the Ryder Cup standings. Whereas within the 12 months since he was named captain, he’s insisted that he would solely play if he have been among the many high six automated qualifiers, he deviated from that following the win.
“This modifications the story somewhat bit. I by no means would have considered enjoying if I hadn’t received. This positively opens the door to play,” Bradley advised reporters. “I don’t know if I’m going to do it or not, however I definitely should take a reasonably laborious take a look at what’s greatest for the crew and we’ll see.”
The 39-year-old was an unorthodox choice to be captain within the first place — he had by no means served as an assistant captain, and was nonetheless enjoying very aggressive golf. Now the general public debate about his place on the crew will solely develop as Bradley is clearly among the many 12 greatest American gamers by all metrics.
It will be doing the US crew a disservice for Keegan to take away himself from consideration at this level. He possible is aware of this, too. With all due respect to the gamers who’re going to be borderline captain’s picks… it’s laborious to see how any American would make extra sense (speaking concerning the gamers at that time within the decision-making course of) would make extra logical sense than him.
Keegan Bradley was partly chosen to guide the crimson, white and blue due to his distinctive ardour for the Ryder Cup and the American facet of all of it. Isn’t his making this entire factor bizarre by enjoying so effectively a part of that? In hindsight I’m upset that no person predicted it.
That is Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup in additional methods than one. He deserves to play in it.
