Spieth Jokingly Urges Bradley to Step Aside from Ryder Cup
Jordan Spieth has turned up the heat on Ryder Cup selection talk by playfully telling Team USA captain Keegan Bradley to “give up” his own spot to create space for him.
Bradley, fresh off a stellar win at the Travelers Championship in June, is sitting comfortably in the U.S. top 10 Ryder Cup rankings ahead of the prestigious tournament at Bethpage Black. If he names himself to the 12-man roster, he’d be the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963.
But Spieth, currently ranked 48th in the FedEx Cup standings, isn’t giving up hope. With the BMW Championship looming on August 14, the three-time major winner believes a strong playoff run could still land him on the roster, especially if Bradley makes a surprising call.
“It was my loftiest goal to start the season,” Spieth told SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio. “If you told me I had a shot in August, I’d be thrilled. I’m still on the outside looking in, though.”
Still, that hasn’t stopped Spieth from poking fun at the situation.
“I keep trying to convince Keegan that playing and captaining is just too much,” he joked. “Even if he’s one of the top 10 players in the world, maybe he should just… give up the spot.”
Read More: Jordan Spieth Gives Verdict On U.S. Open’s Tough Setup
Competition Tightens for Captain’s Picks
Bradley faces the tough job of selecting six captain’s picks after the BMW Championship. Especially with several contenders, including Chris Gotterup, Cameron Young, and Patrick Cantlay, also ahead of Spieth in the rankings.
A strong showing at this week’s St. Jude Championship in Memphis could boost Spieth’s case. But recent Ryder Cup history hasn’t helped him much. After a solid start with a 7-5-2 record in his first three Cups, Spieth has gone just 1-4-3 over his last two appearances.
“I’ve played in five,” Spieth said. “They’re the coolest events in golf. I’d love to play five more. But I know where I stand. All I can do is focus on Memphis and let my game do the talking.”
With the Ryder Cup set to kick off next month, the pressure is on, not just for Spieth, but for every American hoping to make the cut.
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