The PGA Tour season is over, and now the spotlight shifts to what I believe is the greatest event in professional golf: the Ryder Cup.

This year, the stage is set at Bethpage Black in New York, where Team USA, led by Captain Keegan Bradley, is gearing up to take on Team Europe from September 26. The anticipation is building, especially after Bradley announced his six captain’s picks today, finalizing a squad that’s got firepower, experience, and a chip on its shoulder after the 2023 loss in Rome.

Keegan Bradley’s journey to this moment has been a long one. Snubbed for the 2023 Ryder Cup team despite finishing 11th in points, he was crushed, famously leaving his 2012 Ryder Cup suitcase unpacked as a reminder of his unfulfilled dream. That heartbreak lit a fire under him, and when the PGA of America named him captain in July 2024, it was a chance for redemption.

Today, Bradley revealed his six captain’s picks to join automatic qualifiers Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, J.J. Spaun, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau. With Bradley finishing 11th on the points list, there was speculation he might pick himself, which would have made him the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963.

Bradley chose Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay, and Sam Burns. This lineup balances veterans and newcomers, all recently performing well—eight U.S. players, including Bradley, finished top 10 at last week’s TOUR Championship.

Justin Thomas, with a 7-4-2 Ryder Cup record, is the heartbeat of this team. The two-time PGA Champion is a match-play beast, especially in singles (3-0-0), and his clutch playoff win at the RBC Heritage this year proves he’s still got it. Collin Morikawa, despite a quieter season, brings a 4-3-1 Ryder Cup record and elite ball-striking. Patrick Cantlay, a third-time Ryder Cupper, has a 5-2-1 record and a knack for shining in high-pressure moments. Sam Burns, the top putter on TOUR, is back after a solid 2023 debut. Then you’ve got the rookies: Ben Griffin, who had a breakout year with two PGA TOUR wins and 10 top-10s, and Cameron Young, a New York native who just notched his first TOUR win at the Wyndham Championship. Young is one of the few who have won a tournament at Bethpage, the 2017 Met PGA N.Y. State Open there as an amateur, making him a fan favorite.

Bradley’s decision to leave himself off the roster was a gut punch for fans hoping to see him play. He admitted it broke his heart, but he believes this team gives the U.S. its best shot at reclaiming the Cup. “I was chosen to be the captain, and my goal was to be the best captain I could be,” he said. It’s a move that’s earned respect, with Justin Thomas noting that leading the team to victory might mean more to Bradley than playing.

Notably missing from the team were names like Jordan Spieth, Max Homa, Tony Finau, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, and Brooks Koepka, the 2019 PGA Champion at Bethpage. Even though some of them have Ryder Cup pedigree and fan support, Bradley clearly prioritized form, team fit, and strategy for the U.S. squad.

On the other side, Team Europe is shaping up to be a powerhouse. Their automatic qualifiers are Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Rasmus Højgaard, and Tyrrell Hatton, a good mix of veterans and young stars. Captain Luke Donald, who led Europe to a 16.5-11.5 rout in 2023, will announce his six picks on September 1. Names like Jon Rahm, despite being 24th in points due to his move to LIV Golf, seem like locks given his match-play prowess. Europe’s depth is scary, and Donald’s got tough choices ahead to round out a squad that’s won eight of the last 11 Ryder Cups.

What makes the Ryder Cup so special? Golf is usually a solo sport. Every shot, every decision, every gut-wrenching miss falls on you alone. But the Ryder Cup flips that script. It’s about team, country, and pure competition. Players aren’t chasing a paycheck or a trophy for their mantle; they’re fighting for pride and each other.

The U.S. team has a point to prove after years of European dominance. Since 1985, the Americans have won just six of 19 Ryder Cups, a far cry from their early days when they took 22 of the first 25. Bradley’s been planning for this moment for nearly two years, and his picks reflect a focus on chemistry and clutch performance. Bethpage Black, with its rowdy New York fans and demanding layout, is the perfect stage for this team to shine. Will they gel under pressure? Can they outplay a stacked European squad? We’ll find out in a month.

If you’ve never been to a Ryder Cup, put it on your bucket list. I had the chance to attend the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, where I worked as a caddie during the summer. I’ve been to tour events and majors, but nothing matches the intensity of those three days. Whether you’re cheering for the Stars and Stripes or the European flag, it’s a celebration of golf at its rawest. I’m already dreaming of catching one in Europe. Adare Manor in 2027, anyone? For now, all eyes will be on Bethpage and Luke Donald to finalize the European squad. Let’s go, Team USA.