Report: Sam Burns Set to Receive Ryder Cup Captain’s Pick for Team USA

Sam Burns reportedly just landed one of Keegan Bradley’s six captain’s picks for Team USA’s 2025 roster at Bethpage Black.

🚨🇺🇸☎️ #BREAKING – Sources familiar tell NUCLR GOLF that Sam Burns has received the call from Captain Keegan Bradley to play for Team USA at Bethpage Black. Burns is ranked #16 in the U.S. team standings and is set to make his 2nd Ryder Cup appearance. pic.twitter.com/53neDpEi8P

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) August 25, 2025

Burns, who currently sits at No. 16 in the Ryder Cup standings and missed the automatic spots, burst into the selection conversation with strong finishes—tying fourth at the BMW Championship and another T7 at the TOUR Championship. 

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After the Tour Championship, Burns kept things classy and team-focused.

“I know whatever decision he [Bradley] makes is going to be one that he thinks is best for the team,” Burns said.

“Ultimately, I’m Team USA. If I’m on the team, awesome. I would love nothing more. If I’m not, I’ll be rooting for them”

That sounds like the mindset of someone ready to both play under pressure and boost the team’s vibe.

If the selection is confirmed this week it will mark Burns’ second Ryder Cup appearance—after a rough Rome outing in 2023 where he earned just one point from three matches. Still, with his five PGA Tour wins and solid form—plus a solid friendship with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler—he’s got both resume and chemistry going for him.

Pairing Burns and Scheffler in fourballs or foursomes could be a stroke of genius if Bradley leans into that dynamic 

Bradley is expected to reveal his full list of six picks on Wednesday. Word is Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, and Patrick Cantlay are also in the mix for those final spots.

Meanwhile, the ever-complicated question of whether Bradley will pick *himself* is still swirling—something he hasn’t ruled in or out yet.

So what’s the takeaway here? Burns wasn’t a shoo-in by points, but his hot streak and short-game consistency—especially with the putter—made him a smart pick.

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Bradley’s approach seems to be about current form and Ryder Cup-ready edge, not just past pedigree. If Burns brings that heat into team play at Bethpage, it might just be the kind of wild card move that pays off big in match play.

Cover Image via X