Keegan Bradley, captain of the American team, has a serious challenge and a difficult task when it comes to the next edition of the Ryder Cup. In addition to the fact that six players will get a direct place in the team, the captain will have to pick the remaining six players, and it is clear that whatever decision he makes, the reactions will be fierce.
However, huge attention has also been focused on his potential decision to be player-captain, with some not sure Bradley can be successful in such a role.
A well-known face on the golf scene, Sam Torrance, commented on Bradley's potential decision to be player-captain.
He is not convinced that Bradley can adequately perform such a role, aware that if he takes on a double role, he will hardly be able to focus maximally on both the role of captain and the role of player.
"It would be the worst decision a captain has ever made if he was a playing captain. I don't believe you can do it. There are things the captain has to do. He has to put the pairings in Friday and Saturday and he's the only player in the American team that can talk to his team.
"You can't have someone else going onto the 16th saying 'he hit a five-iron, he hit a six-iron' - it's only the captain that can do that. He also can't glean enough information about his other teams that he's had out that morning to get out in the afternoon.."- he said, as quoted by Mirror.
Bradley and his team: What to expect?
The public is keen to know whether Bradley will indeed take on the dual role. The pressure is on the American team, who must atone for their defeat in Rome two years ago, when the European team was absolutely dominant during the tournament.
If the experts' predictions are to be believed, the American team has a huge advantage. In addition to a strong roster, playing on home soil is always an opportunity to celebrate, given the support of the home crowd.
Bradley hopes his team can lift the much-coveted trophy.
