Keegan Bradley found himself at the center of attention after a passionate locker room speech was broadcast in Netflix’s latest golf series Full Swing. The U.S. Ryder Cup captain’s declaration that his team would head to Bethpage in September to “kick their fucking ass” quickly became viral material particularly for the European squad.
Shane Lowry, a key player for Europe, acknowledged that he and his teammates were well aware of the remarks. When asked about it, the Irishman responded, “Oh yeah, we have all seen it.” The moment was an instant source of motivation for Europe as they prepare for the Ryder Cup.
Following an impressive opening-round 69 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Bradley addressed the controversy. He downplayed the idea that his words would add extra fuel for the European team. “I don’t think the Europeans need any more motivation to win the Ryder Cup,” he said. “They’re a special group of players, and the Ryder Cup means a lot to them. When the Ryder Cup comes along, they really seem to come together and play their best golf.”
What caught Bradley off guard was that the moment was made public at all. The clip was recorded after the U.S. victory at the Presidents Cup, and he believed he was speaking privately to his team. “I thought I was in a locker room with my team,” he explained. “That’s what happens in a locker room. I meant no disrespect to the Europeans. We had just won, I hadn’t played in the Presidents Cup for ten years, and it was an exciting moment for me.”
Bradley acknowledged the reality of modern media, recognizing that anything said behind closed doors could still be captured and shared. “I have to know that in this day and age, especially with cell phones, everything’s being recorded. But that’s who I am. I’m a pretty excited person. My enthusiasm for the Ryder Cup showed there. It was meant for our team no disrespect to the other guys.”
How his comments will be received by the Ryder Cup crowd remains to be seen. With the event set to take place in New York, concerns have already been raised about the atmosphere, which is expected to be particularly intense. The U.S. team will be aiming to reclaim the trophy after suffering a heavy defeat in Rome.
Bradley’s own playing status adds another layer of intrigue. If he continues his strong performances, he could qualify for the team, raising the question of whether he would choose to compete or focus solely on his captaincy. “I hope it’s not a tough decision,” he said. “I hope I’m either on the team or it’s not a decision. If I am in the top six, I’ll play. If not, I owe it to the guys to be a captain.”
Meanwhile, the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational saw Scottie Scheffler remain composed on a demanding course, finishing with a 71. Shane Lowry was ahead of Bradley before a late bogey, while Rory McIlroy also dropped a shot at the last to finish at 70. Wyndham Clark led the field at five under after a stunning approach shot set up a closing birdie. The difficult conditions took their toll on several players, with Cameron Young struggling to an 82 and Viktor Hovland posting a 77. Bradley summed it up succinctly: “I think this is the hardest course we play all year.” The scorecards certainly backed him up.
