Keegan Bradley and the PGA of America have left the door ajar for Tiger Woods to be part of the Ryder Cup leadership team after unveiling a new vice-captain on Wednesday.

Kevin Kisner was named as the third member of Bradley’s support team for September’s showdown with the Europeans at Bethpage Black, joining Brandt Snedeker and Webb Simpson.

“Kevin is a great addition to our leadership group and will be a trusted voice throughout the coming months and this year’s Ryder Cup,” Bradley said. “His extensive match-play success and strong relationships make him a perfect fit. I look forward to working with him closely as we get ready for Bethpage Black.”

The PGA of America’s statement confirming the appointment added that “additional vice-captains will be announced at a later date,” leaving room for Woods to join the fold. The 15-time major champion was offered the chance to be captain but declined, citing his commitments as part of the PGA Tour’s negotiating team trying to strike a peace deal with LIV Golf.

Bradley was a left-field selection as a second choice. The 38-year-old remains one of the elite players in the game and could qualify for the 12-man team on merit, and he made clear from the outset that he would welcome Woods’ involvement in the leadership team in any capacity.

“When it comes to Tiger, I have told him he can be as involved as he wants to be,” Bradley said at his unveiling press conference last summer. “We haven’t talked about vice-captains, I haven’t talked vice-captains with really anybody.

Kevin Kisner has been named a vice-captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup

Kevin Kisner has been named a vice-captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup ( 

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Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

“We as players, we all look up to Tiger and his opinion means a lot to us. Being in team rooms with Tiger, the public doesn’t realize how important this is to him. It’s everything.

“He lives and breaths this event, and I think it shows you how much he cares by turning this position down, because he didn’t feel like he could put in what he needed to do with all his responsibilities with what’s going on with the tour.”

Bradley later revealed that he held informal talks with Woods over a role with Team USA, although nothing materialized at the time with both men prioritizing the conclusion over major season.

Woods has played in eight Ryder Cups, winning just once at Brookline in 1999. He was a vice-captain in 2016 when the Americans wrestled back the title at Hazeltine, having missed out on playing due to injury.

The 49-year-old said last month that he believed Bradley was an inspired choice by the PGA of America. “To where he’s from and what he’s meant to the north-east, I think it’s a natural fit,” Woods said. “His connection – he’s not really that old. So most of the guys he’s played with and I think that he has naturally been a very emotional and very fiery, opinionated leader and I think that he’ll do really well at Bethpage.”