Justin Thomas explains the only thing that mattered while picking Keegan Bradley as 2025 Ryder Cup captain

Justin Thomas has detailed his reasons behind picking Keegan Bradley as the captain of Team USA for the 2025 Ryder Cup. Bradley was chosen as captain of the team by PGA of America on Monday, July 8.

Thomas, a former World No.1, is currently competing at the Genesis Scottish Open and said after the completion of the first round (via SB Nation):

"I obviously love the pick, and I think it’s a change of direction for the best. I just think it’s opening up a whole new opportunity, and I think no captain is going to know the players and their games than somebody who is playing with us at the highest level every single week."

Justin Thomas was a part of the committee that picked Keegan Bradley as the captain for the Ryder Cup. He explained his decision to Golf.com's Sean Zak and said:

"My thing is I want to pick the best captain. I don't want it to feel like it needs to fit a certain resume. It doesn't need to fit this right mold. Whatever it is. It's like Look, who is our best captain right now? It doesn't matter what they've done — are the guys going to be excited to play for him? Is he going to mesh with everybody? That's all that matters.

Keegan Bradley has played for the US team in two Ryder Cups (2012 and 2014) and in the 2013 Presidents Cup. Being named the team's captain is a shot in the arm for Bradley as he was left out of the team for the 2023 Ryder Cup.

By the time next year's Ryder Cup rolls around, Bradley will be 39. He'll be the youngest captain after 34-year-old Arnold Palmer in 1963. Justin Thomas has represented the USA team in 2018, 2021 and 2023.

Earlier, the Telegraph had reported that Woods had declined the captaincy role for the 2025 Ryder Cup, paving the way for Bradley.

---

A look at Justin Thomas' performance in 2024

Justin Thomas has had a great 2024 season so far. He has three top-5 finishes, five top-10 finishes, and eight top-25 finishes this year. He is currently 17th on the FedExCup standings.

Justin Thomas' best performance came at the beginning of the season at the American Express Championship where he finished T3. His other notable finishes include T5 at RBC Heritage and T5 at Travelers Championship.

Let's take a look at Justin Thomas' performance in 2024:

2024 PGA TOUR Tournaments

• The American Express: T3 (65-67-61-68, 261, -27)
• AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: T6 (68-67-68, 203, -13)
• WM Phoenix Open: T12 (69-65-70-68, 272, -12)
• The Genesis Invitational: Missed Cut (72-73, 145, +3)
• Arnold Palmer Invitational pres. by Mastercard: T12 (69-71-72-73, 285, -3)
• THE PLAYERS Championship: Missed Cut (71-74, 145, +1)
• Valspar Championship: T64 (68-69-79-71, 287, +3)
• Masters Tournament: Missed Cut (72-79, 151, +7)
• RBC Heritage: T5 (69-68-68-65, 270, -14)
• Wells Fargo Championship: T21 (68-71-73-72, 284, E)
• PGA Championship: T8 (69-67-67-68, 271, -13)
• the Memorial Tournament pres. by Workday: T33 (71-77-74-72, 294, +6)
• U.S. Open: Missed Cut (77-74, 151, +11)
• Travelers Championship: T5 (68-63-65-66, 262, -18)