Keegan Bradley thinks about Ryder Cup ‘every second’ he’s awake

If the Ryder Cup team was selected on passion alone, Keegan Bradley might be Zach Johnson’s first pick.

Speaking this week before the BMW Championship, the 2011 US PGA champion admitted that he’s having a hard time putting the prospect of appearing in Rome at the back of his mind.

The 37-year-old has played the biennial contest twice, in 2012 and 2014, coming out on the wrong side of the result both times.

However, he’s desperate to put things right this year with a spot on Zach Johnson’s team.

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“Yeah, the one spot I want to be on is on that Ryder Cup team,” said Bradley.

“I think about the Ryder Cup every second I’m awake basically.

“My biggest thing right now is trying not to think about it while I’m playing because it’s important to me.

“I feel like I could bring some experience to the team. I would personally love to just be on a team with this younger group.

“All the teams that I’ve been on, they’re all gone. They’re all senior tour or done playing.”

As it stands, Bradley sits 11th on Team USA’s rankings, meaning he would more than likely need a pick from Zach Johnson.

However, Bradley is well aware that passion will only get him so far, saying that the results on the course over the two remaining FedEx Cup Playoff events will be the deciding factor in whether he heads to Rome.

“Zach and the (vice) captains aren’t going to pick a player based on their pitch to be there. I’m sure that they’re working through stats and models of good teammates, good partners.

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“I feel like I could be a good partner to a lot of guys.

“I find that this younger core of guys to be really a cool group because they seem to really pull for each other, and it would be really fun to be a part of that and to feel.

“Every match I’ve ever played, whether it’s Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup, I’ve played with Phil, so it would be interesting to have another partner, see what that’s like.” 

Although he has only made two Ryder Cup appearances, Bradley has plenty of tales from his time on USA teams.

Bradley last made an appearance in the Ryder Cup back in 2014 at Gleneagles, where he came up against Jamie Donaldson in the singles. That match ended when Donaldson hit a now famous shot to seal the match, and the cup, on the 15th hole.

His debut appearance came in the 2012 match, where Bradley was partnered with Phil Mickelson in the first three sessions. The pair won all three points, before being rested before Sunday’s singles. Then, Bradley came up against Rory McIlroy, who nearly missed his tee at Medinah.

This time around, Bradley will need to fend off several other hopefuls looking to catch Johnson’s attention.

Lucas Glover, who has won twice in two events on the PGA Tour, is certainly one of them, while Justin Thomas is another relying on a captain’s pick.

Lewis Fraser As bunkered’s Performance Editor, Lewis oversees the content that’s designed to make you a better player. From the latest gear to tuition, nutrition, strategy and more, he’s the man. A graduate of the University of Stirling, Lewis joined bunkered in 2021. Formerly a caddie at Castle Stuart Golf Links, he is a member of Bathgate Golf Club where he plays off four.

Performance Editor