With the signature events done for the year and just one major to go, more and more thoughts are turning to the Ryder Cup at Bethpage for what could easily be the greatest edition of the event yet.
The 2025 Ryder Cup seems to have had a build-up like no other. Europe are looking to become the first team since 2012 to win an away Ryder Cup.
Meanwhile, the USA have taken a significant gamble by appointing Keegan Bradley as their captain. Bradley is in with a fantastic chance of making the team as a player after winning Travelers Championship this month.
It is a big change from the PGA of America. Their first choice seemed to be Tiger Woods, but Woods turned down the captaincy. But rather than opt for a Stewart Cink or Justin Leonard, it is Bradley who has got the call.
Keegan Bradley hints at imminent announcement ahead of the Ryder Cup
Obviously, it is too soon to say whether the move proves to be inspired. But if Bradley does deliver a victory in New York, then perhaps it may influence how the PGA of America picks captains in the future – barring the year in which Woods does decide that he wants the job.
Bradley teased that his final vice-captain pick will be announced ‘very soon’, with Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson and Kevin Kisner already in his backroom team.
Some will be expecting Woods to get the call, while Bradley’s relationship with Phil Mickelson means that it would be foolish to rule out the LIV Golf star being brought into the mix entirely. But perhaps there is one PGA Tour star who needs to be considered for the job.
It is frightening to think about but Rickie Fowler will be just a year younger than Bradley is now by the time the Ryder Cup heads to Adare Manor in 2027.
It really feels as though Fowler is still a youngster waiting for the moment where he realises his potential and becomes a major champion.
Unfortunately, the last few years have not been so kind to Fowler. The 2024 season marked the first time since 2019 that he had played all four majors in the same year.
As things stand, he is facing a fight to make the playoffs for the FedEx Cup this year. Fowler is on course to find himself outside the top 70 after missing the cut at the Rocket Classic.
There is still plenty of time for Fowler to turn his year around. And there is certainly enough time for him to get himself back in contention in some of the biggest events.
However, he is 44th in the qualification standings for the Ryder Cup. Unless he wins one big event before Bethpage, he will surely not be involved as a player.
With that, it could be the perfect time to make Fowler the final vice-captain for this year.
Rickie Fowler’s chance as Ryder Cup captain may be just around the corner
Ultimately, if Bradley’s captaincy is a success, then Fowler is arguably one of the standout candidates to take on a similar position in one of the next couple of Ryder Cups. He has played in five previously and seems to have good relationships with that core of the American side.
Taking on the vice-captaincy does not necessarily mark the beginning of the end for Fowler either. Sergio Garcia won The Masters seven years after being a vice-captain for Colin Montgomerie in 2010. And he continues to play at an extremely high level today.
There are few players who are loved quite like Rickie Fowler. So it would be an extremely popular choice if he was named as Bradley’s final vice-captain for September.