The Ryder Cup exposed institutional flaws in the PGA of America’s Ryder Cup process.

While Luke Donald had team Europe prepared for the Ryder Cup in New York, his opposing captain, Keegan Bradley, didn’t appear to be ready for the moment.

Europe were a well-oiled machine that rolled into Bethpage Black and dominated Team USA through two days. Their pairings had been optimized, Donald was a maestro with the media, and Europe had an answer for everything that was thrown at them.

Meanwhile, Bradley picked the worst possible pairing two days running, sending Collin Morikawa and Harris English out as foursome teammates on Friday and Saturday morning. No overall strategy was apparent, and the gulf in ability between Donald and Bradley was stark.

The teams and players were analyzed at length in the weeks and months leading up to the Ryder Cup, but perhaps something significant was overlooked. The importance of captaincy.

Johnson Wagner says the PGA of America needs to be more careful with captaincy selection

Bradley was a surprising choice as captain. He had just been snubbed for the 2023 Ryder Cup by Zach Johnson, but the 2011 PGA Championship winner was still at the top of his game and hopeful he could make the team in 2025 with his play.

And he didn’t let go of that hope once he had been selected as captain. Bradley wanted to be a playing captain, and that looked likely when he beat Tommy Fleetwood to Travelers Championship glory.

Ultimately, Bradley didn’t choose himself, but the distraction of playing on the PGA Tour may well have been the downfall of Team USA in New York. And that led Johnson Wagner to say the PGA of America needs to put far more thought into choosing their captain for 2027.

Speaking on 5 Clubs, he said, “I think the US side’s going to be a little bit more careful when they start picking captains. And I think Keegan should have been on the team as a player and I think it’s really tough.

“I think the way Luke Donald has handled the captaincy the last couple years, I think it’s important to have a captain that isn’t trying to make the team as well, that can really dive in and devote themselves.

“So, I think maybe, hopefully, the PGA of America is going to take a step back and look at like, ‘Okay, let’s pick a captain that can do what Luke Donald’s done’. Because it’s a big role, and I think for the first time I really kind of saw it with my own eyes how important that role is.”

As a returning captain, Donald had a clear vision. He had won in Rome two years prior and knew which pairings were successful, which players rose to the occasion, and he knew how to conduct himself in the build-up to the event.

Meanwhile, Bradley didn’t seem to know whether to pick himself as the playing captain shortly before making his captain’s picks. Bradley’s course setup and pairing selections hinted at a lack of proper preparation, but then again, how could he have prepared?

He spent the season attempting to make the team as a player, so he was unable to dedicate himself to the role fully. That’s something the PGA of America need to consider moving forwards.

Potential Team USA captains for 2027

Shortly after the 2025 Ryder Cup ended, fans called for an end to Bradley’s disastrous captaincy, and speculation about America’s next Ryder Cup leader began.

Tiger Woods was high on the list of potential captains for Adare Manor in 2027. He reportedly turned down the role for 2025, but after Woods announced yet another back surgery, this may be the right time to step away from the course and into this new role. He was also the Presidents Cup captain back in 2019.

But if Team USA wants to copy the European model, Brandt Snedeker is an intriguing option as captain. He’s the Presidents Cup captain for 2026 and can provide some continuity for the American players between the two events.

Snedeker can use the Presidents Cup to build relationships, test pairings, and gain experience in the role on a lesser stage. He is also no stranger to the Ryder Cup, having been a vice-captain in New York.

The PGA of America could turn to its past successes. Steve Stricker was the captain in 2021 for Team USA’s 19-9 victory at Whistling Straits. His proven track record means he should at least be considered.

Meanwhile, Webb Simpson was the first vice-captain chosen by Bradley for Bethpage Black, and he’s set to be one of Snedeker’s vice-captains at the Presidents Cup. Like Snedeker, he could take some learnings from that event into Adare Manor.

There are plenty of options available for Team USA, but this decision could define their tournament in two years’ time. It’s not one that can be taken lightly.