Keegan Bradley's appointment as the US Ryder Cup captain surprised many. At 39, he's still actively competing, a stark contrast to previous captains who were often past their playing prime. This unconventional choice reflects a deliberate shift away from the established norms within the US team. Bradley's decision not to include himself in the team, despite his strong performance and widespread support, underscores his commitment to his captaincy role and highlights a selfless leadership style. The move has been praised by fellow players like Gary Woodland, who described Bradley's selflessness as "one of the most selfless acts I’ve seen in golf." Woodland highlighted Bradley’s dedication to the Ryder Cup, emphasizing its significance in his life. The proactive approach Bradley adopted is evident in his decision to use the Procore Championship as a pre-match training camp for his team, resulting in ten of his twelve players participating. This unprecedented level of team engagement speaks to the players' faith in their captain. Scottie Scheffler echoed this sentiment, commending Bradley's organized approach and ability to maintain team morale. Bradley himself alluded to emulating the captaincy styles of past successes like Paul Azinger and Jim Furyk, yet his contemporary status as a player brings a unique perspective and credibility, as Justin Thomas pointed out. Thomas highlighted Bradley's player-first approach and understanding, owing to his concurrent playing career. This blend of strategic preparation and player-centric leadership represents a gamble for the PGA, but the early signs suggest it might just be a stroke of genius. Ultimately, Bradley’s success will be measured by the results of the Ryder Cup, but his unconventional approach is already making waves. It is this 'outside-the-box' thinking that the PGA sought, and so far, Bradley is delivering.
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Originally published at: https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/news/keegan-bradley-embraces-outside-the-box-captaincy
