Regardless of whether he plays, Team USA Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley is already playing into his bag of motivational tactics, according to Bryson DeChambeau.
As the men’s major championship season reaches its conclusion, the golf world will soon turn its attention to the Ryder Cup. Team USA will look to get the trophy back from Team Europe when the teams clash at Bethpage Black on Long Island in New York.
DeChambeau, despite playing on LIV, is a virtual lock as a captain’s pick. He solidified that expectation at the British Open. Despite a brutal opening-round 78 that made it seem like he was destined to trunk-slam another Open, DeChambeau showed impressive resiliency. He went 65-68-64 to put himself in position for a top-10 finish with real momentum for a Ryder Cup push.
Team USA Captain Keegan Bradley’s Motivational Tactics Ahead of Ryder Cup
DeChambeau also hinted at some motivational tactics from Bradley, who finished the Open 4-under himself.
“I talked with him briefly, and then he put something in our lockers that was pretty inspirational. So, yeah,” DeChambeau said when asked about his correspondence with the captain during tournament week.
DeChambeau refused to share more details about what Bradley shared in the lockers — or, more interestingly, with whom he shared them — but he did acknowledge the message was “personal.”
In summing up his feelings about the upcoming Ryder Cup, DeChambeau might have shed a little light on Bradley’s thinking.
“This year’s no joke,” the LIV star added. “We’re tired of it. We’re tired of losing.
That also would be in line with behind-the-scenes footage. As seen in the most recent season of the Netflix series “Full Swing,” Bradley gave a rousing post-tournament locker room speech to Team USA following its victory at the Presidents’ Cup in Montreal last fall.
“I’m gonna get criticized as the captain next year. They’re gonna underestimate me. They’re gonna doubt me,” Bradley told the room. “I’ve been doubted my whole (expletive) life. That’s when I do my best work. We are gonna go to Bethpage to kick their (expletive) (expletive).”
Bradley said he was surprised the comments were aired, but it certainly sets the tone for September.
Team USA Roster Starting to Take Shape
The biggest debate about the Team USA roster is the big question for Bradley — in more ways than one. Despite previously saying he wouldn’t make himself a captain’s pick, Bradley has played well enough to justify being one of the 12 players representing the team at Bethpage. Another solid performance at The Open adds to that belief, especially given some of the performances of past Cup staples like Patrick Cantlay or Brooks Koepka, who both missed the cut at Portrush.
It was always going to be hard to keep someone like DeChambeau off the roster, too. The PGA of America will likely set up Bethpage to be a brute — even more difficult than it notoriously already is — and distance is an absolute must-have for players in the mix.
That could be good news for players like Chris Gotterup, too. The former college standout is enjoying a bit of a breakout summer after winning the Scottish Open and contending at Royal Portrush. He’s also a monster off the tee and should get consideration.
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