Keegan Bradley has responded after Shane Lowry addressed his Ryder Cup rant (Image: Netflix)
Keegan Bradley has come forward to clarify he intended “no disrespect” after his locker room outburst went viral last month. The Team USA captain’s impassioned speech ahead of the featured on ‘s ‘Full Swing’ series following the Presidents Cup last year.
The American team beat their international counterparts for the 10th year in succession last September. And Bradley took the opportunity to address some of those who will undoubtedly be selected for Ryder Cup duty 12 months later. , Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa were each in the room at the time and will surely be part of Bradley’s squad at Bethpage Black later this year. The US skipper was evidently fired up to repeat the success as he shouted (via ): “We’re gonna go to Bethpage to kick their f***ing a**!”
He continued: “I’m gonna get criticised as the captain next year. They’re gonna underestimate me. They’re gonna doubt me. I’ve been doubted my whole f***ing life. That’s when I do my best work.”
The Ryder Cup is well-known for its deep-rooted rivalry, and Bradley’s motivational speech certainly raised eyebrows among rivals, . The Irishman was recently asked whether he’d seen the clip and told Golf Channel’s ‘Golf Today’ programme: “Oh, yeah. We’ve all seen it.
“Keegan is going to be a great captain, and we’re under no illusion that [he won’t be]; we’re certainly not going to doubt him. And I’m sure Luke Donald is going to prepare his team as best he can, and we’ll give it a go when it comes to it.”
It’s only natural that some Europeans may take the boast to heart as a mark of arrogance. But Bradley has since responded, claiming he had no idea the behind-the-scenes footage would be aired.
“We’re certainly not going to doubt him.” Two-time team member Shane Lowry reacts to Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup comments.
— Golf Today (@GCGolfToday)
“Listen, I thought I was in a locker room with my team,” said the 38-year-old, who finished in fifth and one stroke ahead of Lowry at this weekend’s Arnold Palmer Invitational. “You know, that’s what happens in a locker room. I meant no disrespect to the Europeans.
“This was a time that we had just won the Presidents Cup, I was in the locker room and it was my turn to address the team. And I meant no disrespect, I was more speaking to our guys.”
The incident could still spell trouble for Bradley as Lowry’s reaction suggests it’s already a motivational factor for Europe. This year’s visitors have won eight of the last 11 Ryder Cups, including two victories on American turf, and it would be naive to suggest they wouldn’t use Bradley’s comments as ammunition at Bethpage.