The PGA Tour season has officially come to a close with Tommy Fleetwood walking away with the Tour Championship victory, meaning all eyes will now turn toward the 2025 Ryder Cup.
The Ryder Cup, a biennial golf tournament that has been held since 1927, pits teams from the United States against teams from Europe in a battle for international golf supremacy.
This year’s tournament is scheduled to take place from September 26–28, 2025, at Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York.
Each team consists of 12 golfers from each region, including six who are automatically selected based on a points system, while the team’s captains choose the remaining six.
With the PGA Tour season coming to a close this past weekend, the six automatic qualifiers for each team have already been established.
The U.S. team currently consists of Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau.
United States captain Keegan Bradley is set to announce the remaining six captain’s selections tomorrow at 10 a.m. at PGA Frisco, with many already speculating on the potential golfers who could be selected.
Bradley has already admitted that there will likely be some surprises on the team, noting that some guys could disagree with his decision.
“There is probably going to be a few guys that think they are going to be on the team that aren’t going to be,” he explained, per Outkick.
Here are the six most likely selections that Bradley will make:
Keegan Bradley
Yes, there is a good chance that Bradley will select himself as the playing captain for this year’s Ryder Cup.
Bradley said after the Tour Championship that he has considered joining the team as a playing captain, noting that multiple players he has talked to have already supported the idea.
Following the conclusion of the PGA Tour season, Bradley ranked 11th in Ryder Cup standings, which would give him the fifth-highest number among players who are eligible to be selected.
Although some players on the LIV Golf Tour would likely have finished ahead of him, as LIV tournaments do not grant Ryder Cup points, there is enough justification in his ranking for his self-selection.
Additionally, Bradley is coming off a solid showing at the Tour Championship, finishing tied for seventh place, shooting 13-under par over the rounds, while also playing two of the best rounds of his season.
Bradley recently discussed the potential that he could play in the Ryder Cup, saying that he believes that he is “still one of the best players in the world,” according to ESPN.
By no means would this be a bad decision either, as Bradley has put up impressive showings since being announced as the U.S. captain in July 2024.
Since then, Bradley has won the Travelers Championship and the 2024 BMW Championship.
Bradley’s experience and recent performances will allow him the flexibility to select himself as one of the U.S. players, which is an outcome that has become increasingly likely as the year has progressed.
Justin Thomas
Thomas remains a strong contender for selection to the 2025 Ryder Cup team based on a year marked by consistent performance and significant victories on the PGA Tour, with his selection seemingly being the most likely of the captain’s picks.
Thomas secured a win at the RBC Heritage, where he tied the course record with a 10-under 61 in the opening round, and finished as a runner-up at the Truist Championship with a score of 14-under par.
Across the season, Thomas has notched eight top-10 finishes and three runner-up finishes, demonstrating steady form in a highly competitive field.
Currently, Thomas is fifth in the Official World Golf Ranking and sixth in the Ryder Cup points standings, underscoring his status as a leading U.S. candidate for captain’s pick consideration.
Despite some missed cuts at major tournaments, such as the U.S. Open and PGA Championship, Thomas’ overall strong showing throughout the season and ability to consistently catch fire with low rounds have reinforced his value to the Ryder Cup team.
Thomas has also posted strong performances in previous Ryder Cups, finishing with an individual record of 7-4-2 during his three outings with the U.S. team.
This combination of experience, recent performance, and proven competitiveness under pressure makes him an extremely likely selection to join the U.S. squad.
Collin Morikawa
Morikawa is another strong contender for selection to the 2025 Ryder Cup team, having demonstrated solid performances throughout the PGA Tour season, despite some recent struggles at links-style events.
Although he did not secure a victory this year, Morikawa posted four top-10 finishes, including second place at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and a top-10 at THE PLAYERS Championship.
Despite the inability to claim a victory this season, Morikawa ranks eighth in both the Ryder Cup standings and Official World Golf Rankings, highlighting his ability to stay near the top of a crowded group of golfers.
Similar to Thomas, Morikawa has delivered solid performances during his previous Ryder Cup invitations.
During his two appearances in the tournament, Morikawa has posted an individual record of 4-3-1.
Morikawa’s consistent performances in 2025 and experience from previous Ryder Cups underscore his potential value as a captain’s pick, offering a mix of strategic course management and calm under pressure that could be pivotal at Bethpage Black.
Cameron Young
Young has emerged as an increasingly compelling candidate for the 2025 Ryder Cup team following a breakthrough season marked by his first PGA Tour victory.
After seven previous runner-up finishes, Young claimed a commanding win at the Wyndham Championship by six strokes, showcasing remarkable consistency and scoring ability with 27 total birdies and only five bogeys over four rounds.
This victory propelled Young near the top of the FedExCup standings, with the 28-year-old also ranking 14th in the Ryder Cup standings and 20th in the Official World Golf Rankings.
Young’s season has been highlighted by steady performances, including a top-five finish at the FedEx St. Jude Championship and a strong showing at the TOUR Championship, where he tied for fourth place.
Although Young has never competed in a Ryder Cup tournament, his addition to this squad could help propel this U.S. team to another victory over the Europeans.
Patrick Cantlay
Cantlay has become a leading candidate for the 2025 Ryder Cup team, coming off a season that has featured consistent top-tier performances highlighted by a runner-up finish at the TOUR Championship.
Cantlay’s 2025 PGA season includes seven top-10 finishes and five top-five finishes, underlining his reliability and skill in high-pressure situations despite failing to pick up a victory.
Throughout the season, Cantlay has maintained a strong form, with notable results including a fourth-place finish at the Truist Championship and top-10 finishes at the FedEx St. Jude Championship and the Genesis Invitational.
Despite multiple missed cuts at major championships such as the U.S. Open and the Open Championship, Cantlay’s overall consistency and key tactical skills make him a valuable asset for team play.
Cantlay’s blend of experience, steady performance, and proven track record in match play formats will likely secure him a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team at Bethpage Black, where his calm demeanor and strategic play could prove critical.
Sam Burns
Burns has stood out as one of the best-performing golfers over the past year, making him one of the leaders selected by Bradley to make the U.S. team.
Notably, Burns leads the Tour in the critical Strokes Gained: Putting category, ranking first with an average of 0.924, highlighting his exceptional skill on the greens.
Overall, Burns ranks 13th in total Strokes Gained, underlining a well-rounded game that combines precision putting with solid ball striking.
Burns’ season includes a runner-up finish at the RBC Canadian Open, where he posted an impressive 18-under par performance, and a tie for seventh place at the U.S. Open with a score of 4-over par.
Despite some middle-tier finishes and missed cuts, Burns’ advanced stats, especially with putting, and ability to produce clutch rounds make him a valuable asset for team competitions like the Ryder Cup.