From the fairway: when captains shake hands and lean into one another at the podium, that’s not just optics — that’s tone-setting. Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald’s joint appearance at Bethpage Black gave us respect, narrative threads on player pay, and a clear leadership choice from Bradley: he’s a captain-first this week — and he wants his team to know it.
Ryder Cup Live Updates — Bradley & Donald Meet the Media at Bethpage Black
Fast Highlights — What Happened Today in Sep 22 | 2025 Ryder Cup
- Keegan Bradley confirmed he will not select himself as a playing captain and intends to focus on managing Team USA.
- Bradley defended the PGA of America’s decision to provide stipends/charitable funds to U.S. players; the payment arrangement and optics were a major theme.
- The iconic Bethpage Black warning sign has been moved from its traditional first-tee location due to grandstand construction; replicas and fan-zone displays are in place.
- Practice-round sightings and early pairings were reported across outlets (players testing lines, wind and short-game setups). }
Monday Practice Rounds — Who We Saw
Practice days are where you read body language. Early reports and the official practice schedule show top players out and around Bethpage — working wind shots, wedges and recovery shots that will matter on those small-target greens. Use practice-rich sightings to guess pair synergy and short-game trust between teammates.
“If a guy’s comfortable from 100 yards on a day like this, he’s already won half the hole.” — pro view
Captains' Press Conference — Key Lines & Context
When Bradley and Donald faced questions together, three themes dominated the room:
- Leadership choice: Bradley said the decision to not pick himself was made with the team’s best interests in mind — leadership over player status.
- Player pay & optics: Bradley defended the PGA of America’s $500,000 package to U.S. players while noting much of the funds are designated for charity; Donald warned the U.S. team might face tougher crowd reactions because of the payments. The pay-versus-purpose debate reappeared repeatedly during Q&A.
- Mutual respect: Both captains leaned into their friendship and proximity — small talk that masks the chess match to come. Fans heard candid respect but also the hint that strategy will be unsparing once match play begins.
Why this matters: captain tone predicts tempo. A captain who publicly emphasizes team-first decisions and charitable uses of money is trying to control narrative and fan reaction before tee-off.
Bethpage Black — Course Notes & Logistics
Bethpage Black plays like a public-course T-rex: long off the tee, penal on miss-hits, and brutal on approach misses. Organizers have installed grandstands around key holes — which required shifting the first tee forward and moving the outdoor location of the original Bethpage warning sign. Large replicas and fan-zone signs have been set up for photo-ops instead. If you’re attending, expect tight routing, heavy infrastructure near the first and 18th, and robust crowd control.
Pro View — Pairings, Strategy & What I'll Watch
From a pro’s lens I focus on three transferables from practice to match play:
- Short game trust: Who’s calm around the greens under a gallery’s weight? That guy gets paired in foursomes where scramble saves matter most.
- Wind management: Bethpage checks your ability to shape and flight the ball; pairing a bomber with a wind wizard is logical protection.
- Captain signals: Bradley’s “captain-first” decision frees him to be more aggressive with pairings and vice-captain input; that will shape Friday's opening pairings.
Quick scouting tip for social posts: post short clips of players hitting wedges into green complexes and tag the hole — those micro-moments attract views and search clicks.
How to Watch & Follow Live Scoring
Primary broadcast & streaming: NBC Sports and Peacock are the main television/streaming outlets in the U.S. for full studio coverage and tee-to-green live play. For real-time scoreboards and official updates, use the Ryder Cup official site and its live scoring platform.
Tweets from the Ryder Cup 2025
Watch: Media Session | Ryder Cup 2025 Captains Luke Donald & Keegan Bradley | Sept 22
Use the clip for short-form social teasers — 20–30 second cuts of captain soundbites or a player’s wedge into a gallery will spike engagement.
FAQs About the Ryder Cup 2025
Did Keegan Bradley pick himself for the U.S. Ryder Cup team?
No — Bradley opted not to select himself and will serve in a captain-only role for the week.
How much are U.S. players being paid this year?
The PGA of America’s arrangement this week includes an allocation of $500,000 per U.S. player (with a large portion designated for charity and a stipend portion). Bradley defended the approach at the press conference.
Where did the Bethpage Black warning sign go?
Because of grandstand construction around the first tee and 18th green the original sign was relocated for safety and crowd control; replicas and a fan-zone display are available for photo opportunities.
Further Reading
Explore more in-depth coverage and official updates from trusted outlets:
