Tour Confidential: Can a Speelnotapad captain in the US Ryder Cup team?

Check every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors while breaking down the most popular topics in the sport and participating in the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week we will discuss Keegan Bradley as a Ryder Cup-captain, the best big moments of 2025, the victory of Lottie Woad, ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ and more.

The Telegraph reported That the American Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley asked for a change of rule in the “Captain’s Agreement” this year that could allow a appointed vice-captain to advise players if a play section was in competition. The European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has reportedly agreed to the change, which can be a springboard for Bradley potential potential play And captain At Bethpage Black. Although, with all the logistics and planning that is accompanied by a captain, is it possible that a play-fed captain can be counterproductive on the US and can go to the benefit of Europe?

Alan Bastable, Executive Editor (@alan_bastable): Difficult to understand a scenario in which Bradley does not play. There are now no 12 better Americans in the game – let alone 12 better Americans who bring the fire and intensity that Bradley does the course – so the American captain has little choice than putting himself in his own team. That does not mean that he has to play four or five games; It can mean that it only plays a few. He should send himself in the first game on Friday and let the place rock. Can it be counterproductive? It could. But I think there is much more potential advantage that he is playing than there is only his efforts aimed at speeches and uniform selections.

Sean Zak, senior writer (@Sean_zak): It can definitely be counterproductive. Team Europe absolutely wants Bradley to draw double duty. They want streams to be crossed and information should come from several sources instead of one. That said, it must happen right now. Bradley has invested too much to withdraw to the duties of his captain. And he is too good to withdraw from his playing capacity. So Team USA is moving forward. I would like to think that they have enough chefs in the kitchen to come up with a solid strategy for this unique situation.

Josh Berhow, Managing Editor (@Josh_berhow): It is not an ideal situation for the American team, but Bradley is one of the 12 best Americans and has to play. Moreover, you know he wants that. He is the exact type of player that you want to make birdies and make up the crowd and bring the energy to a Ryder cup. Double drawing is not a great situation, but I also think it is a bit exaggerated. Yes, the other stuff is important, but let’s not have it complicated – it usually comes down to playing better Golf than the other team. I spoke with Gary Woodland, a vice -captain, open a few days ago on the 3M and he said he is extremely impressed by how Keegan Ryder Cup tasks manage tasks And Play this well now. It will of course be busier for Bradley, but … maybe he can handle it? Although I am curious whether it was ever seriously discussed to fully discharge tasks from another Vice captain and Keegan to play and take a rain control on his captain.

Speaking of the Ryder Cup, the time increases for automatic qualification and bubble players to argue for the Picks of Captain. Which BIG-Note player has the most to prove Bradley to earn a place?

Berhow: Jordan Spieth is in 26th place, but I still think it has a good chance to make this team. As far as Wyndham Clark is concerned, on the 16th, it can be harder. He has had a very average year and got more headlines for a number of unfortunate moments, although we will see if this late increase will be sufficient. He stored 11th at the Scottish Open, in 4th place on the Open Championship and just had a good finish on the 3M Open Sunday, binding for the 12th. Is it enough? We will see. If Russell Henley and Harris English are locking up auto-qualifying places, the captain will make the choices even more interesting. Although a less well -known name is I really curious? Chris Gotterup.

Fundamentally: Yes, Gotterup (which is now 22nd on the points list) is interesting. It costs so much for a relative “outsider” to crack the team, but man, he has looked good lately. It feels like he has the courage to resist the pressure on Ryder Cup. I also see capt. Keegs don’t fall into the trap to pick boys just because they have been there in the past. For me, under the bigger names, Patrick Cantlay is the biggest question mark. He didn’t have a bad season, but it has not been particularly memorable – and his MC had to give Bradley a break on the Open Championship.

Bag: Jordan Spieth has a lot to prove. People forget that Spigh (together with Justin Thomas) was part of the Ryder Cup committee that was put together to lead Team USA to the future. It was a small committee! Especially since it was believed that Thomas and Spieth would be in teams for years and years. Well, JT demolished his way to the 2023 team and it would sneak serious Spieth for this time. A really good play -offs is what he would need, but do we really see that happening?

Last week we put an arc for the big season of the men, but there is still plenty to unpack there. What was the most memorable moment of the big season?

Fundamentally: A little cliché, but this year I will remember the emotional victory that Rory took from the 18th Green of Augusta National to score. That outpouring of joy and relief – was something to see. The moment from that scene that burned the most in my memory bench was when McIlroy fell into the arms of Shane Lowry and Lowry Beer confused his old friend of the ground. For honorable mention, shouting at the five-way sudden-dood play-off at the Chevron, won by Mao Saigio. What a wild way for a major to decide – wish it was extensive than one hole!

Bag: What does it matter if it is a cliché if it is the truth! I will run Alan’s answer somewhat and just say the seconds after the putt has fallen for McIlroy, when he fell to his knees. I find it funny when athletes collapse on the floor of their sporty arena – think of all the tennis stars that crumble when their opponent touches a ball at the match point – but considering how the day had been up and down, it felt like mcilroy rang purely on adrenaline and nothing else. There was no more energy to support him when it finally entered. Every part of his body seemed to be touching the green at that time, such as a targeted, crying, dizzy yogi. Will never forget it. Also will never forget the 64-foot of JJ Spaun.

Berhow: Scottie Scheffler wins two Majors and your types don’t even even. Sad! But yes, honestly, I get it. McIlroy collapsing, crying, four and then walking to score was one of the most memorable moments of my 10 years on this track, exactly there with Tiger who won the Masters in 2019 and Spieth’s Sunday spiek at Royal Birkdale in 2017. McIlroy’s recenter Memorabele Moment reasons memorable. He didn’t let that happen anymore (although It was close).

Former top amateur (and new professional) Lottie Woad won the Women’s Scottish Open to become the third LPGA Tour member who won in their LPGA Tour debut. What was the most impressed by the victory of the 21-year-old? And how much could the LPGA benefit from another emerging young player who challenges the stars?

Fundamentally: What happened to relieving your professional career? Just like so many other elite young players nowadays, Woad arrived in the highest ranks of the game ready to win – and then did exactly. So yes, I would say that I am most impressed how fearless she looks like. Even when Hyo Joo Kim exerted some pressure and catch woad in the middle of the final round, Woad did not show any signs of cracking. Instead, she celebrated 13 and 14 and never looked back. What about this stat: in Woad’s last three pro -Starts, her score average is 67.4. If she is not the favorite on the women’s opening next week, she will be up there.

Bag: The LPGA can always benefit from an up-and-comer. Especially one as a certain star like Lottie. She has a nice name, she beats Nelly, she will be comfortable next week on the links in front of the Aig Women’s open. Can she somehow get double the left?

Berhow: She didn’t make a bogey on Saturday and only made one on Sunday. That is the weekend recipe for winning major tournaments. But if you hold her press conferences of the week again, this saw nothing of this too big for her. She was ready for the moment, knew her game was good and trusted it. She becomes a problem for the US Solheim Cup team, that’s for sure.

The long-awaited “Happy Gilmore 2”-which was loaded with Pro-Golfer Cameee-Viel finally on Netflix last week. Our Josh Berhow destroyed it here, but what was your opinion about the sequel to the cult classic?

Bag: I have not seen it, but I will report what I have heard: mixed reviews! Many people near the game wanted something just as classic as the original. They seemed disappointed. Many others did not care what they received and just loved Scottie Scheffler in comic form. They seemed content! To be honest, that feels a lot about how “space jam 2” felt only a few summers ago. These crazy sports films get harder in the 90s for a number of reasons. And that’s okay!

Berhow: I think I would have liked it nicer if it was a bit more golfy and played less when Golden Tee played, but when you think of earlier Sander films, this kind of that script fits. “You don’t rumble with the Zohan” was bizarre and was not very logical, and I thought it was great. Cool to see the sequel to this, but would always be difficult to surpass the original.

Fundamentally: I haven’t looked at everything (panting!), But the pieces I have seen reminded me of how much I miss Verne Lundquist. His “gangster sh*t, indeed” line was a highlight. I can also confirm the film hits with Gen Z; My 13-year-old son that until last week the original Gilmore had not viewed the two inches up. (He said that he mainly enjoyed the Gold Jacket dinner scene in which Jack Nicklaus orders a icon and lemonade, not aware of the common name of the drink.) My child also praised the acting carbonates of Scottie Scheffler. (Is there something that man can’t do?)