Keegan Bradley Opens Up: 'Darkest Time of My Career'

Speaking from his home in Jupiter, Florida, Bradley offered a candid look into the burden of captaincy and the haunting "what-ifs" that have kept him awake since September.

Breaking his silence nearly three months after the 15-13 defeat at Bethpage Black, the U.S. Captain described the immediate aftermath as "the darkest time of my life, probably."

"A Gaping Hole"

Bradley expressed that the loss overshadowed what had otherwise been a successful season for him personally, stating that the defeat left a "gaping hole" in his career. Unlike a regular tournament loss where a player can simply move on to the next week, Bradley noted the unique finality of a captaincy tenure, lamenting that the opportunity to avenge the loss might never return.

"Blame me, I blame myself for that loss," Bradley said, taking full responsibility for the result despite the widespread praise for his leadership in the lead-up to the event.

The Green Speed Issues

A major talking point from the interview was the controversy surrounding course conditions. Bradley confirmed that the U.S. team had explicitly requested fast greens to leverage their home advantage, but the conditions at Bethpage Black were "unusually soft" and slower than anticipating.

"We lost control of the golf course," Bradley admitted, noting that while organizers were given specifications, the greens simply didn't reach the speeds the team desired. Team member Justin Thomas had also voiced frustration, describing the situation as "bizarre" after the team "fought with" organizers to get the conditions they wanted.

On Scottie Scheffler

Addressing the performance of World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who finished with a 1-4-0 record, Bradley defended his star player. He acknowledged the shock of seeing the world's best struggle but emphasized the collective nature of the defeat.

Looking Forward

Despite the heartbreak, Bradley expressed a desire to one day captain again, though he acknowledged that the U.S. system typically rotates leadership. For now, he remains focused on returning to his playing career, even as the sting of the Bethpage loss lingers.