Keegan Bradley has reflected on a season that, while marked by personal success, ended in disappointment. He had what many would consider his best year since joining the PGA Tour, highlighted by a victory at the Travelers Championship and a strong tie for seventh at the Tour Championship. Despite these achievements, Bradley’s aspirations to join the United States Ryder Cup team for a third time fell short, and he faced the tough task of leading a losing American side at Bethpage Black.
When asked to assess his season, Bradley surprisingly gave himself a failing grade of “F.” He articulated that the Ryder Cup’s outcome overshadowed his personal victories, conveying a sense of loss and frustration. “You’ve got to go and win that and this grade’s different,” he said, acknowledging the unique pressures of captaining the Ryder Cup team and the emotional toll it took on him.
With the next Ryder Cup scheduled for 2027 at Adare Manor in Ireland, Bradley’s future involvement as captain remains uncertain. While Tiger Woods has been widely speculated as a successor, he stated he hadn’t been approached about the role. Bradley expressed his belief that if Woods does want to lead, he’ll have the opportunity, noting Woods’ status as a revered figure in golf and a natural leader.
The conversation also touched on a dispute regarding the greens during the Ryder Cup, specifically comments made by Justin Thomas. Bradley addressed these concerns, admitting the greens did not play as expected and pointing out that the situation was reflective of the broader challenges faced during the tournament. He emphasized that while the team’s performance fell short, the players cannot place blame elsewhere and must take responsibility for the defeat.
Despite the setbacks, Bradley’s reflections illustrate his dedication to the game and a willingness to learn and grow from the experience. The hope remains that he can channel this determination into future competitions, and perhaps one day, will have another opportunity to captain the U.S. team. His humility and commitment to improvement resonate as he navigates the complexities of professional golf.