Keegan Bradley Reflects on Major Championships and the Ryder Cup

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — After chatting with Keegan Bradley, I found myself wanting to be more open about emotions, which is pretty unusual for athletes these days.

In an interview on Monday before the PGA Championship at Aronimink, Bradley discussed his passion for this pivotal tournament and his rocky experiences with the Ryder Cup.

Back in 2011, Bradley achieved a major milestone when he won the PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club in his rookie year on the PGA Tour.

Later, in 2018, he triumphed at the BMW Championship at Aronimink, marking his first victory in nearly six years of struggle.

These events have profoundly shaped his life. “After winning the PGA in ’11, with my mom and sister there, I remember driving away from the club with the Wanamaker Trophy in my lap. It felt surreal,” Bradley reminisced. “I was trying to grab a beer, but everything was closed, so I returned to my rental house and had Bud Light and cereal for dinner. Honestly, it was the best meal ever.”

He mentioned placing the trophy next to his bed, waking up the following morning and thinking, “Wow, this is unbelievable.”

The BMW win in 2018? He called it “a big moment” in his career, admitting, “I wasn’t sure if I’d ever win again.” He described feeling “really lost” during that tournament, and how it became a critical turning point for him.

“Coming down the stretch, I thought, ‘How are you so calm right now?’ That’s not a thought that comes easily,” he reflected. “It was a memorable moment I’ll cherish forever.”

He recounted his experience on the 8th green, where he noticed Tiger Woods nearby, looking sharp in his red and black outfit. “I couldn’t believe I was competing in this scenario with my idol so close,” Bradley noted.

On Tuesday evening, he will join past champions for the annual PGA Dinner, which is reminiscent of the Masters’ Champions Dinner.

“Today is the highlight of my golf season,” he expressed, feeling the camaraderie. “Being in a room with those legendary figures makes you appreciate what happened in 2011 even more, realizing I get to share that experience annually.”

However, not all of Bradley’s memories are pleasant. His Ryder Cup experiences have been less than favorable, as he described them as “brutal.” He was cut from the 2023 team while aiming for a captaincy, and that week left him shaken.

“Recently, I’ve started to feel more like myself again. Sometimes I get caught in overly honest introspection, thinking about missed opportunities,” he admitted. “The Ryder Cup was challenging, and those thoughts still linger. But being back here and finding my rhythm makes me feel better about my game and less tangled in my past.”

Looking ahead, he’s optimistic about the 2027 squad for Ireland. “It’ll be quite the challenge,” he said, “but what a story it could turn out to be! How exciting would that be?”