Well, it’s official—Keegan Bradley has filled out his Ryder Cup brain trust, and the final piece of the puzzle is none other than major champion Gary Woodland. The announcement came Wednesday, locking in Woodland as the fifth and final vice captain for the U.S. squad heading into the 2025 Ryder Cup at the iconic Bethpage Black.
Woodland Brings Experience
This might be Woodland’s first time wearing the Ryder Cup red, white, and blue in any official capacity, but this guy’s no stranger to big-stage golf. Remember the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach? That wasn’t a fluke.
Woodland took down the field—and some major pressure—to claim his first and only major title. He’s also been part of the Presidents Cup, suiting up under Tiger Woods in 2019 and contributing to a U.S. win. So, while he hasn’t yet stood on a Ryder Cup tee box, the man knows what elite team competition feels like.
Let’s not ignore that resilience might be his most defining quality. Woodland’s journey over the past two years has been nothing short of incredible. After undergoing brain surgery in 2023—a life-altering moment by any standard—he’s battled his way back to competition.
Still facing challenges related to that surgery, Woodland hasn’t just returned to golf. He’s doing it at a high enough level to be asked to help lead the U.S. Ryder Cup effort. That kind of toughness? You can’t coach that. And it certainly doesn’t go unnoticed in the locker room.
A Full House of Vice Captains
Woodland joins a pretty intriguing mix of vice captains. You’ve got Jim Furyk—the elder statesman. Kevin Kisner—the locker room spark plug. Webb Simpson—strategic and even-keeled. Brandt Snedeker—emotional, energetic, and beloved by players. And now Woodland—quietly intense, battle-tested, and deeply respected.
That’s a lot of voices, sure, but this isn’t overkill. Recent Ryder Cups have shown five vice captains are par for the course—literally. Both the Americans and Europeans have leaned on these expanded leadership teams to help navigate the increasingly complex format and personalities of the modern Cup.
Bradley knows what he’s doing here. As a Ryder Cup rookie captain, he’s surrounding himself with guys who have played with—and in some cases mentored—the very players he’ll be counting on. And Woodland? He’s still out there grinding on the PGA Tour, which means he’s staying current with the state of American golf week to week.
Leadership, Legacy, and the Long Game
Look, this move might not grab headlines like a playing captain would, but Woodland brings a lot more to the table than just a recognizable name. His health battle earned him the PGA Tour Courage Award back in February, and his return to form has become one of the sport’s most compelling side stories.
On a U.S. team that will be desperate to reclaim the Cup after what happened in Rome, adding someone with that kind of quiet fire and perseverance could make a real difference, especially on a high-octane course like Bethpage Black.
So, five vice captains are locked in. The countdown to Bethpage is officially on. And Keegan Bradley just added a guy who knows what it takes to fight through adversity and come out the other side stronger. Gary Woodland’s Ryder Cup debut won’t come with a tee time, but don’t be surprised if his presence behind the ropes plays a bigger role than anyone expects.
