On a sunny Monday morning, the famous Bethpage Black course revealed its beauty under the bright sky, showcasing both grandeur and a sense of calm despite the many empty grandstands surrounding it.
Keegan Bradley, captain of the US Ryder Cup team and a St. John’s graduate, walked through the course he knows so well. “I’ve played this course maybe 50 to 100 times, and honestly, it’s in the best shape I’ve ever seen,” he remarked, feeling a unique blend of excitement and agony with each shot he practiced, as if he were just starting out.
He reflected on the choice of not playing for his country. “I thought about it constantly,” he admitted during a Monday press conference. “But, I felt the responsibility that comes with being a captain and recognized that there were tasks I had to focus on during the week that wouldn’t be possible if I were competing.”
“Sometimes, I look down the fairway and see the players, really wishing I could join them. I want to be alongside guys like Scotty Schaeffler, watching them play, but it feels like there’s a purpose to my role here.” He added, “But, I can’t help but wonder, ‘What if I had been playing instead?’
Bradley described this period as a “prideful season” in his career. At 39, he achieved 11 top-25 finishes and six top-10 finishes in over a decade, ranking 11th in the US Ryder Cup standings and 8th among American players worldwide.
Only Schaeffler has claimed a PGA Tour victory in the past 13 months, overshadowing Bradley’s two wins, including the Travelers Championship in June.
In an interview, a fellow captain highlighted Bradley’s dedication. “He invested everything into this. He believes this is what’s best for the team, sacrificing his individual desires for the greater good,” he stated.
Historically, Arnold Palmer was the last captain to play in the Ryder Cup back in 1963, and numerous off-course responsibilities have since kept have captains from competing themselves.
Bradley expressed the complexity of his role: “I can’t say you can be a captain without worrying about sleep, breaks, or practice. It was a straightforward decision for me.”
Two years prior, Bradley felt heartbroken after being replaced by Captain Zack Johnson, as chronicled in Netflix’s “Full Swing.” He had hoped to be back in the Ryder Cup, having played in 2012 and 2014, especially with the course being a familiar ground from his college days.
Nevertheless, he recognizes the journey he’s taken.
Bradley’s vice captain, Webb Simpson, mentioned, “Keegan was in a unique position as one of the top players, so he had the freedom to make decisions. I reminded him that being a captain doesn’t mean you can’t contribute positively, even if it’s different.” He added, “Looking back, I believe he will see this as a tough choice, but ultimately the right one. If he leads the team to victory, that may feel even more fulfilling than winning as a player.”
– Additional Reports by Mark Cannizzaro
