Bradley laments Ryder Cup defeat: “I won’t get over it”

Keegan Bradley, after assuming the leadership of the American team in the Ryder Cup, shared his reflections on the experience, highlighting both the positive aspects and the emotional challenges he faced.

The Weight of the Ryder Cup

Bradley, who accepted the captaincy with full awareness of the responsibility, described the defeat as a hard blow. “You win, and it’s glory for a lifetime. You lose, and you have to live with that for the rest of your life,” he commented, admitting that he still hasn’t gotten over the experience. The American team, despite being the favorite, found themselves in an unfavorable situation from the start, with a considerable disadvantage at the beginning of the last day. Bradley recounted the difficulty of the first days and the emotional burden he felt.

“You put so much into this, and you have all this planning, and the first two days were as bad as we could have imagined. It was quite emotional. It was sad, to be honest.”

Keegan Bradley

Despite the defeat, Bradley acknowledged the difficulty of the event and the emotional rollercoaster it entailed. The American captain took some responsibility for some errors, including the field setup, which, combined with the rain, facilitated play on a notoriously difficult field. Others pointed to the pairing strategies and the decision not to include himself in the team. Bradley also shared his feelings about the possibility of playing in future editions. “I would really enjoy playing in one more. I don’t know if I’ll have the opportunity,” he said, considering his age compared to other players. Despite the challenges, Bradley highlighted the unique experience of being a captain and competing at the same time. He mentioned the support received from American fans and the uniqueness of his position in the world of golf. Although he had moments when he wished to be the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963, Bradley stood firm in his decision. Bradley reflected on his experience, highlighting the intensity of the tournament and the support received from the fans.