[PHOTO: David Cannon]
US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley named Gary Woodland his fifth and final vice-captain for the American squad overnight, Australian time.
Woodland joins previously appointed Jim Furyk, Kevin Kisner, Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker as vice-captains at Bethpage Black.
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“I have an incredible amount of respect and admiration for Gary and all he has accomplished in this game,” Bradley said. “As a major champion and someone who is still competing at a high level, he is well aware of the demands of performing on golf’s biggest stages. He will be a valuable leader for us over the coming months and throughout the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.”
Welcome to the team room, @GaryWoodland! 🇺🇸
Woodland has been named the fifth U.S. Ryder Cup Team Vice Captain by @Keegan_Bradley 🏆#GoUSA pic.twitter.com/7Qu8Kwvyyv
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) July 2, 2025
Woodland, who won the 2019 US Open at Pebble Beach, has never been a part of a US Ryder Cup team in any capacity. He did however play for the 2019 US Presidents Cup team at Royal Melbourne, where he went 1-2-1 on Tiger Woods’ team in a US victory over the International side.
For anyone thinking five vice-captains is a lot, the move is hardly an unprecedented one. Each of the past two American captains, Zach Johnson and Steve Stricker, had five vice-captains each. Current European captain Luke Donald had five vice-captains in Rome in 2023, too. 2018 European team captain Thomas Bjorn also selected five, among them Donald.
Woodland, 41, should be a popular presence among his peers and fans alike. The four-time PGA Tour winner went through a serious health scare in 2023, one that required a lengthy brain surgery late that year. Nearly two years later, Woodland still deals with issues from that surgery on the course. This past February, he was awarded the PGA Tour Courage Award.
“I am extremely excited and grateful to Keegan for the opportunity to support the US team,” said Woodland. “Keegan’s passion for this event is contagious and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”
