NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Keegan Bradley admits the crushing Ryder Cup defeat at Bethpage nearly eight months ago still haunts him. While driving, he suddenly recalls moments from that chaotic weekend—a pairing, a course tip, or something he said to his players—and the memories flood back. He describes this as a diabolical punishment for a losing captain.
However, the pain is fading. “I’m starting to feel better,” he said on Monday at Aronimink before the PGA Championship. “The last couple months, I’ve started to feel more like myself.” He added that being too honest about his feelings sometimes puts him in awkward situations.
The favored US team lost 15-13 after a poor start, with a rowdy Bethpage crowd adding to the pressure. Bradley spent months analyzing every mistake, though most were not his fault. He now views the Ryder Cup as a Greek tragedy, with past losses in 2012 and 2014, being left off the 2023 team, and the Bethpage defeat.
Bradley said he does not think about making the 2027 team. “Ryder Cup's just so brutal to me over the years in every way,” he explained. “In every single way it's been brutal, and I have a tough time focusing in on something like that.”
Yet, he holds onto hope. “I told myself after Rome I was never going to get that emotionally invested,” he said. “But I'd really like to make that team in Ireland. I'd love to play for Jim Furyk, who is an idol and mentor. The guys on the team last year changed my life. I would love to play on a Ryder Cup with them.” He added, “I'll be 41 when that happens. But what a cool story it would be. How fun would that be?”