THE PRESIDENTS CUP

September 29, 2024

Keegan Bradley

Royal Montreal Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Keegan, some might say this was poetic. You've missed these events for a decade. You were heartbroken. You just clinched the Presidents Cup for the United States. What are the emotions going through your body right now?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: Geez. Wow, that was incredible. I was saying all week I didn't know if I'd ever get to do this again. To just play in this tournament and then to win the point, my goodness, the last time I played, I was the point to lose the Ryder Cup.

If this is my last round as a player, maybe it is, I'm happy with that.

Q. What have you missed the most?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: I missed the guys. The guys, they're just incredible. They really love each other. The wives and the caddies love each other. It's such an amazing atmosphere. I'm just so proud of the team, and I'm proud of just being here.

Q. You're the old veteran of the team; what did you learn about yourself this week?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: I learned that I can still do this. It's always hard. It always is. That was really uncomfortable there at the end. But I'm proud of the way everyone played today.

Q. Next year you'll be the guy with the headset making the decisions as the Ryder Cup captain. In what ways did Jim Furyk foster camaraderie with this team this week?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: Well, we're going to copy a lot of what Jim Furyk did this week. He set a culture here for us, and we're going to carry that over into Bethpage, and I hope a lot of these 12 are on that team.

Q. Keegan, it was like Jim Valvano running around looking for somebody to hug. Describe the exhilaration after you clinched that point.

KEEGAN BRADLEY: Well, geez, I'm still trying to figure out how all this happened. A month ago I wasn't even in the BMW, and then we were here and then the Presidents Cup point. I'm just proud of everybody.

Q. The stars were aligned for you. Can you put your arms around what happened?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: No, it's a fairy-tale. It's a movie almost. I just can't believe it. You just have to work as hard as I can, and good things happen.

Q. You're one of the most competitive guys I've ever seen. The last three holes, that wears on you, doesn't it?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: It did. To be perfectly honest, I hit a good putt on 16. I played it straight. It broke right. Si Woo hit an incredible shot in there on 17, and then geez, he did it again on 18. I'm just so grateful that I won that point for the team.

Q. I know what it means to be on a team, in the room, just experiencing it with these guys. How special? This is what you missed, right?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: This is what I missed. To be honest with you, I've never been part of a better room than this. It makes it that much more special. I was walking around the locker room today trying not to throw up, I was so nervous. I'm proud of the way I played today.

Q. You were almost on the last Ryder Cup team. You were almost a vice captain on that team, but you decided to qualify instead. You're the next Ryder Cup captain, and you clinched the Cup. Who wrote the script?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: I don't know, but I have to pinch myself a lot in my life, but this is one of those moments. This is up there with as great a moment in my career as I've ever felt.

Q. How big is going to be the party tonight?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: It's going to be a big party. I can't wait to get back to the team room and watch my teammates finish up here, but we're going to party for sure.

Q. Is it going to be in Montreal?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: It's going to be in Montreal for sure.

Q. The current Ryder Cup captain clinches the Presidents Cup here in Montreal. A lot of emotions poured out of you. What were you processing?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: Well, I gave Jim a hug and I thanked him so much for picking me. I really thought these days were over. I really did. Even playing my best, I didn't know if I was going to ever be on one of these teams. So to come here and do this is a highlight of my life.

Q. It's been a while since you've been in a U.S. Team room. Looking back on the week and the experience with this team, what did you gain?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: I gained a knowledge of the team room. You always hear about the U.S. Team room not being whatever, and this is the most -- the greatest team room I've ever been a part of. It's the first time I've been on one of these where I've really, truly felt like I belonged on the team.

It's a lot of thanks to Tabitha and Jim. But these guys really love each other. It's really special. It's amazing to see.

Q. Why is this the greatest team room you've ever been a part of?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: I've never seen a group of guys more friends than these guys are. I'm sort of new to the group, but I'm so -- they inspire me because they truly want what's best for each other. When they're inside the ropes, they want to kill each other, but when they're outside the ropes, they care for each other, and they're just great people.

Q. I know you want to have your own identity with your own team, but what sort of nuggets did you pick up from Jim this week?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: A lot. What Jim did with the team room, what he did with team meetings, what he did with the pairings, what he did on Sunday through Wednesday, having us play matches against each other, you're not going to find a tougher match than within our own team. It's like when the Patriots practice against their defense back in the day. You're going to sharpen yourself there.

I learned a lot, and I hope Jim is proud of what he's done here.