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The pattern started in 1995. Nelson stood ready to captain the American team. The PGA chose Lanny Wadkins instead. Officials promised Nelson would get his chance in 1997. Then they handed the role to Tom Kite. Another promise broken. Another opportunity wasted. Year after year, Nelson watched lesser-qualified candidates receive the honor he’d earned. His 9-1-3 record spoke for itself. His military service added another layer of credibility to his leadership. Yet the calls never came. Bradley himself acknowledges the absurdity. “I also feel it’s so silly how I could be Ryder Cup captain and he wasn’t,” he said. “He would never say that. I felt like it was our duty to honor him and what he’s done for us.” The irony cuts deep. Bradley, despite his own accomplishments, recognizes what the sport’s governing body missed for decades. Nelson’s credentials surpassed those of many actual captains. His perfect 9-0-0 start across his first two Ryder Cups remains virtually unmatched. Those missed opportunities cost American golf dearly. During the years Nelson should have been leading teams, Europe dominated the competition. The U.S. struggled through some of its darkest Ryder Cup periods. Meanwhile, their greatest match-play warrior sat home, forgotten. Bradley’s ambassador appointment marks Nelson’s first official Ryder Cup role since 1987. The surprise announcement came during a PGA of America video shoot in Atlanta. Bradley and his vice-captains orchestrated the moment perfectly. “It was really special to me,” Nelson told reporters afterward. “I haven’t been to the Ryder Cup since 1987, but I’m thrilled to be going this year and it meant a lot to me that Keegan went out of his way to include me.” Dave Stockton Jr. shared the news through social media, calling it a “class move by Captain Keegan.” Golf analysts echoed the sentiment, with many describing the recognition as well-deserved and long overdue. Nelson’s reaction shows his characteristic humility. Despite decades of institutional neglect, he remains gracious. “I can’t tell you how touched I am that Keegan took the time to invite me personally,” he said. However, the timing underscores what America lost. Nelson turns 78 this year. The PGA’s questionable choices overshadowed his prime leadership years. His ambassador role, while meaningful, can’t replace the captaincy opportunities he deserved. Larry Nelson joins Justin Leonard and other American legends facing similar overlooked treatment Nelson wasn’t alone in facing inexplicable snubs. Justin Leonard recently broke his silence about similar treatment. Despite his iconic 45-foot putt at Brookline that clinched the 1999 Ryder Cup, Leonard never got a captaincy shot either. “Yes, I was surprised not being named as the captain,” Leonard admitted on a recent podcast. He explained how turning down early vice-captain roles hurt his chances. The PGA interpreted his decisions as a lack of interest rather than a lack of career planning.
