Keegan Bradley has been largely keeping a low profile following the USA’s Ryder Cup defeat to Europe at Bethpage Black.
Europe beat the USA at the Ryder Cup late last month, where Bradley captained the hosts and Luke Donald captained the visitors.
And it was Europe who were fastest out of the blocks in Long Island, New York, storming to an 11.5-4.5 lead after two days.
The home captain led a superb fightback from the USA on the final day, but it wasn’t enough as they lost 15-13 to their bitter rivals.
Questions are being asked of Bradley following the defeat, while Jon Rahm wants Donald to stay as Ryder Cup captain for Adare Manor in 2027.
Keegan Bradley talks for the first time since the USA lost the Ryder Cup
Bradley could remain as Ryder Cup captain as well, but the man himself has now shared just how much of a toll the tournament has taken on him.
The emotional American admitted: “From the Ryder Cup until now has been one of the toughest times of my life.
“You put so much into something and I think even if you win, it’s called the Ryder Cup hangover where you are just mentally and physically just drained.
“You put so much into it and have all this planning and the first two days went as poorly as we could have ever thought.
“Then we had that amazing rally on Sunday and what I am trying to take away is just the incredible memories that I had with the guys.
“The time in the locker room, the emotional times that we had together and maybe the takeaway is how different these Tour players are now.
“Even from when I came out. My first year was 2011. The players are totally different. They really are such great humans. They really care for one another.
“When I came on Tour I did not care about the other guy, he was my enemy. I did not want to be friends with him. But these guys look at it like they are in it together.
“Of course, when you get to the Ryder Cup you are on the team but even outside the Ryder Cup at the Travelers or wherever, they look at it as a family and they look at it a little bit different from my generation and way different from the previous generation.”
Why USA captain Keegan Bradley was in an unenviable position at the Ryder Cup
Bradley found himself in a very tricky position with the Ryder Cup right from the very start, having not exactly been the most popular choice as captain.
Tiger Woods turned down the Ryder Cup captaincy, meaning whoever next got the call was always going to be less popular.
Bradley then had the drawn out drama of whether he would actually play at the tournament or not, which would have taken a heavy toll.
He ultimately missed out on an automatic spot and decided not to pick himself, opting to focus solely on a captain’s role.
Bradley regretted not picking himself to play, but the PGA Tour star would have undoubtedly come under heavy criticism had he done so and the USA lost.
Criticism went Bradley’s way anyway after the defeat, but fortunately he has managed to find a real positive amid all the negatives, with the American definitely needing an arm around his shoulder right now after a very taxing time.
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