Keegan Bradley Reflects on a Mixed Year
Keegan Bradley had a standout year in his professional career, clinching the Travelers Championship and achieving six top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour, as well as being ranked in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking.
Nevertheless, he has a rather critical view of his performance. “It’s an F,” Bradley remarked on Tuesday while competing at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
The U.S. Ryder Cup captain is still grappling with the aftermath of September’s loss to Europe at Bethpage, where a strong final-day rally fell short, resulting in a 15-13 defeat. “It’s a complicated question because I’m really proud of the way I’ve played,” he admitted. “In many ways, it’s the best year of my career.”
However, Bradley believes the Ryder Cup loss taints his overall performance. “When you factor in losing the Ryder Cup, it feels like an F… you’ve got to win that. It’s challenging to judge, and even my coach reminded me, ‘Remember, you won this year,’ but right now that’s hard to recall.”
At 39, Bradley has eight PGA Tour victories and currently holds the 14th spot in the Official World Golf Ranking. Nonetheless, the decision not to participate in the Ryder Cup weighs heavily on him. “It was probably the darkest time of my life,” he said, reflecting on the emotional toll that accompanies such high-stakes tournaments.
Despite the challenges, Bradley has started to regain his sense of self in recent weeks. As he gears up for the upcoming tournaments, he expresses appreciation for the camaraderie among his fellow players, stating, “I feel like every time I see a player from the team, I want to give them a hug and chat.” He is also excited about the possibility of making another team, a feat yet to be accomplished.
In July 2024, Bradley was named Ryder Cup captain after Tiger Woods declined the role, and he expressed the hope of qualifying for a third team and perhaps playing after serving as captain. He acknowledges the rarity of such an achievement but is determined to strive for it. “Being the captain of the Ryder Cup team isn’t something you can work for, it’s something that’s elected upon you,” Bradley concluded, reflecting on the complexity of his ambitions.
