Frisco, Texas (AP) – Gary Woodland, former U.S. Open champion, has been named as the fifth and final assistant to U.S. captain Keegan Bradley for the upcoming Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. Woodland, joining Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker, Kevin Kisner, and Webb Simpson, will assist the American team in their quest to reclaim the cup from Europe on Sept. 26-28.
This year, the role of assistants could be particularly important as Bradley considers whether to become the first playing captain since 1963. With Bradley’s recent victory at the Travelers Championship, he has more wins in the past year than any American except Scottie Scheffler. The team selection process will see six players qualify and then six captain’s picks chosen in the coming months.
Woodland, the 2019 U.S. Open winner, brings valuable experience as a major champion and a current competitive player. Bradley praised Woodland’s leadership qualities and expects him to be a key figure leading up to the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
While Woodland’s team match experience is limited to the 2019 Presidents Cup, where he contributed a 1-1-1 record in a U.S. victory, he is highly regarded among players. Known for his resilience, Woodland was honored with the PGA Tour Courage award for overcoming a health scare in 2023. With a recent runner-up finish at the Houston Open, Woodland currently ranks 68th in the FedEx Cup standings.
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