AYE AYE SKIPPER

Dramatic win opens door for Keegan to follow in Arnold's Ryder footsteps

- BY CRAIG SWAN

BULLISH Keegan Bradley admits his epic Travelers win opens the door to dramatically shift the story around his Ryder Cup.

The United States captain confessed he now faces serious discussions about his role at Bethpage as the clamour for him to play reaches fever pitch.

Bradley has been forced to accept the prospect of assuming a “heavy burden” and becoming the first playing-captain at a Ryder Cup since Arnold Palmer in 1963 after his thrilling defeat of shattered Tommy Fleetwood at the TPC River Highlands.

Previously, the 39-year-old was clear that he would not pick himself if he didn’t make one of the six automatic qualifying places.

Bradley could still hit the top half dozen, but even if he doesn't, the noise he hears from petrol stations to restaurants is rising rapidly for him to be on the first tee at Bethpage with clubs and not a walkie-talkie.

Exactly one year after receiving the call from the PGA of America to offer the skipper’s role, his Travelers triumph drastically altered the situation.