Two Ryder Cup wildcard selections already 'locked in' as crucial decision weighed up

Keegan Bradley has yet to reveal his complete squad for the Ryder Cup - though the Team US captain appears to have secured two wildcard selections. The 39-year-old was named as the team's captain during the summer but remains undecided about whether he'll compete in next month's tournament.

No playing captain has featured in the Ryder Cup since Arnold Palmer back in 1963, yet Bradley's age and current form would certainly justify his participation on the course. Bradley - who is presently taking part in the Tour Championship - holds the world No. 13 ranking and claimed victory at the Travelers Championship in June.

Speaking about his selections, he acknowledged the weight of his decision, reports the Mirror US. "I promise you we're going to make the best decision for the team, and it's going to be controversial either way," he declared on Friday. "I'm ready for it, I know this is the biggest decision of my life."

Bradley recently organised a dinner for the six automatic qualifiers on the US squad whilst also extending invitations to Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa, who occupy seventh and eighth positions on the Ryder Cup points list, hinting that the PGA Tour duo are poised to receive selections.

This leaves four remaining places on Bradley's roster, with the Vermont-born golfer scheduled to reveal his six captain's picks on Wednesday. Competing whilst managing the burden of selecting his Ryder Cup team presents quite a challenge, he disclosed. "It's very difficult," Bradley admitted.

"I'm having a really hard time separating right now my captaincy and my playing. To be honest, I feel like I'm still one of the best players in the world," Bradley added. "I figured the likelihood of being completely out of the picture was probably pretty slim. We've been preparing for this since then. It would be easier if I was top six or way out of it."

Team US last claimed Ryder Cup glory in 2021 and securing victory remains Bradley's sole focus as he stressed his squad choices will be irrelevant provided his side lifts the trophy at Bethpage Black Course in New York.

"No matter what decision I make, I'm going to be defined by this decision," he said. "If we win, it doesn't matter what decision I make."

He presently occupies fourth spot in the Tour Championship whilst Patrick Cantlay and Tommy Fleetwood share the lead with a -16 total.