Ryder Cup captains Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley have made it clear that they are open to including players from the LIV Golf series in the 2025 tournament. The two captains spoke at a Ryder Cup press conference in New York and expressed their willingness to select players from the Saudi-backed circuit for the biennial event at Bethpage Black.
Luke Donald stated that as long as players meet the regulations and rules set by the DP World Tour, they are eligible for selection. He mentioned that there are several LIV players who are eligible to be chosen for the team. Keegan Bradley, on the other hand, emphasised that he would pick the 12 best players for the team, regardless of their background.
At the 2023 Ryder Cup, Brooks Koepka was the only LIV Golf player to compete, as he was granted eligibility through a grace period. However, the PGA of America has confirmed that LIV players can now compete for the US Ryder Cup team moving forward. Additionally, LIV Golf players can also be considered for the European team as long as they maintain their DP World Tour membership.
In discussions about potential team members, Luke Donald revealed that he had spoken with Sergio Garcia, who expressed interest in re-joining the DP World Tour. Garcia, Europe’s leading points scorer, would need to adhere to all the regulations to be eligible for the Ryder Cup.
Keegan Bradley, who secured the winning point for the US team at the Presidents Cup, mentioned that it was too early to decide if he would play in the 2025 Ryder Cup as a captain. He expressed his focus on leading the team and indicated that thoughts about playing would come closer to the tournament.
As preparations for the 2025 Ryder Cup unfold, the stance of captains Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley on selecting LIV Golf players adds an intriguing element to the upcoming tournament. With both captains showing openness to including players from the Saudi-backed series, the competition at Bethpage Black promises to be compelling.