U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley said he’s trying to assemble the best American team possible, regardless of whether its members play on the PGA Tour or LIV Golf.
Bradley revealed ahead of the PGA Championship that LIV competitors Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka were among the players invited to a dinner in Philadelphia for prospective team members during the Truist Championship earlier this month. The top 20 players in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings as well as players who competed on the 2023 Ryder Cup and 2024 Presidents Cup teams received invitations.
Although inclement weather delayed DeChambeau’s travel to Philadelphia and kept him from attending the dinner in person, he participated via Zoom.
“We invited Brooks and Bryson, and they were in there on points, and they played on previous teams,” Bradley said during a news conference last Tuesday at Quail Hollow. “It was great to have them there. This Ryder Cup and what comes with this, no one cares about what’s going on in this side PGA Tour-LIV [dispute].”
Notably, Bradley did not invite Patrick Reed, who ranks significantly higher than Koepka in both the U.S. Ryder Cup standings (Reed 25th, Koepka 91st) and Official World Golf Ranking (Reed 52nd, Koepka 354th). READ MORE
Scott Taetsch, PGA of America via Getty Images
Although six-time PGA Tour winner Hunter Mahan stepped away from competition in 2021, he was part of the conversation in advance of the PGA for an unflattering comment he made about Quail Hollow as a major championship venue.
“I guess I would say Quail Hollow is like a Kardashian,” Mahan told The Athletic. “It’s very modern, beautiful and well-kept. But it lacks a soul or character.”
Quail Hollow president Johnny Harris was quick to respond, needling Mahan in the bargain.
“Tell me who that is,” Harris was quoted as saying. “I don’t know the last time he was here.”
For the record, Mahan showed up at the club on Friday and personally apologized to Harris for the critical comment. He last played Quail Hollow in competition in 2021, his last PGA Tour season. Moreover, he didn’t play the PGA Championship the last time it was staged at Quail Hollow in 2017. But his comment may have scored him an invitation back.
“He might have to play with me,” Harris said, “but that’s OK. He’ll play with a member.” READ MORE
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Compiled by Mike Cullity