Phil Mickelson shows his true colours before The Open at Royal Troon

Phil Mickelson has expressed his surprise after Keegan Bradley was named Team USA captain for the next Ryder Cup.

Bradley will lead the home side at Bethpage Black in September 2025 after Tiger Woods turned down the role. The 15-time major winner is focusing on brokering a peace deal between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour.

Bradley, 38, played on losing sides in 2012 and 2014 and was controversially overlooked for a wild card in 2023, with Zach Johnson’s side going on to lose by five points at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. His appointment has surprised many, including Mickelson, 54, who would have been a contender for the job himself had he not defected to LIV. However, ‘Lefty’ is also excited by the bold move.

“I was surprised at the appointment,” said Mickelson ahead of the upcoming Open Championship at Troon. “And I think it's a great pick the more I think about it. He played a lot of golf at Bethpage when he went to St. Johns [University]. His passion for the Ryder Cup is greater than just about any player I've ever seen.

“I think he's going to lead with that type of passion. I think he's incredible. I’m really, really happy for him. I think we all are really happy for him, knowing how gut-wrenching it was to not be part of the team last year, but to now have the opportunity to lead and go forward I think is great.”

Another US Ryder Cup star, Xander Schauffele, has also expressed in surprise, given Bradley’s age. The USPGA champion said: “You typically expect someone that’s a little bit older to get selected as a captain.

“I think a lot of people were banking on Tiger to do it. He obviously has a lot on his plate. So Keegan expressed his love for the Ryder Cup publicly, which we all saw, and I’m