U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley has addressed the controversy that erupted following the release of locker room footage from Netflix’s Full Swing. Captured after the U.S. team’s victory at the Presidents Cup in Montreal, the video showed Bradley telling his team they were headed to Bethpage to “kick the European team’s a**.”
Bradley’s bold proclamation, intended for his team’s ears only, has triggered quite the backlash from the European press. The controversy comes on the heels of another divisive decision by the PGA of America to monetize the U.S. team’s participation.
The 38-year-old captain sought to defuse the situation following his first round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, where he carded a three-under 69. He explained that his comments were made in the heat of the moment, in a locker room setting, and were not meant to disrespect the European team.
Bradley said, “I thought I was in a locker room with my team. That’s what happens in a locker room. I meant no disrespect to the Europeans. This was a time when we had just won the Presidents Cup. I was in the locker room, and it was my turn to address the team. I meant no disrespect; I was speaking more to our guys.”
When asked if European captain Luke Donald might use his comments as a rallying cry, Bradley conceded it was a possibility. However, he also emphasized the European team’s inherent motivation to win the Ryder Cup, stating, “I don’t think the Europeans need any more motivation to win the Ryder Cup. They’re a special group of players, and the Ryder Cup means a lot to them. They really seem to come together and play their best golf. So I think that they’re motivated enough to beat us.”
The airing of Bradley’s comments came as a surprise to many, including the captain himself. He admitted he was unaware of the Netflix cameras in the locker room and acknowledged he should have been more cautious. Even so, Bradley maintained his excitement was understandable as he had just won the Presidents Cup, an event he hadn’t participated in for a decade.
Bradley is currently performing exceptionally well, and it appears he may earn a spot on the 2025 roster based on merit. However, the U.S. captain has vowed not to use his position to secure a place on the team if he fails to qualify.
In a recent update, Bradley revealed that the U.S. team’s composition will begin taking shape after the conclusion of the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont. As the golf world awaits, the captain’s locker room comments and their aftermath will undoubtedly continue to fuel conversation and speculation.