Bubba Watson Warns Keegan Bradley of Ryder Cup’s Biggest Challenge Waiting for Him ‘Behind Closed Doors’

Keegan Bradley once swore he’d never miss another Ryder Cup after playing in 2012 and 2014, and now has found himself on the other side of the ropes — not because he couldn’t play, but because he chose not to. It was a decision that shocked many, including fans who thought he was ready to both captain and play. But Bubba Watson, a four-time Ryder Cupper and vice captain in 2016, knows the truth on what really goes into captaining Team USA.

On the Dan on Golf podcast, Watson pulled back the curtain on just how chaotic, emotional, and downright exhausting life as a Ryder Cup captain can be. “First of all, there’s a lot to unpack here. I think it’s amazing that he didn’t play. I think he honors his commitment. It takes a special man to do that. I think that was awesome. Does he wanna play? 100%,” Watson began. He respects Bradley’s decision not to play because he honored the job rather than his ego. And then came the real reveal — the side of captaincy fans never get to see.

“There’s a lot of things that happen behind closed doors that the media or public doesn’t know. There’s things going on in people’s lives… I mean, there’s just so much going on that you have to detake what’s going on, you have to kind of address the media in certain ways so that people don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors,” Watson added. It’s not just tee times and team pairings — it’s injuries, emotions, egos, and form. It’s handling personal crises without letting the world catch a glimpse. It’s making the team feel like they’re part of something bigger, while constantly adapting to whatever chaos the week throws at you. And all of it has to look smooth on the outside.

That’s why, according to Bubba, Bradley stepping away from the player role wasn’t just a wise decision — it was a necessary one. “And so yeah, there’s a lot going on for a captain, and he’s put what, roughly two years into this? Why would he not want to be the captain in and be a part of this unless some other young player has that spot on the team?” Watson pointed out. And Keegan Bradley clearly agrees.

In his own words, he’s thought about playing every second this week, but quickly realized how impossible it would have been to juggle both jobs. In his opening press conference on Monday, he admitted, “I’ve thought about it every second.” He still daydreams about walking fairways with Scottie Scheffler or throwing a fist-pump after draining a clutch putt. “But I’ve also thought about how impossible it would be,” he added. The truth is, Bradley never stopped wanting to play. He nearly did. After his win at the 2025 Travelers Championship, it seemed like a real possibility. But as the season unfolded and other Americans surged into form, Bradley made a captain’s call, one of many, and left himself off the board.

But if there’s solace, it’s in the sacrifice. “I feel like I’ve been called for a bigger cause here…To help our guys get ready to play and play at the highest level. But in the back of my mind, I’m always thinking, ‘I could have been out there’,” Bradley confessed. And who could blame him? The Ryder Cup has always been personal for Bradley. His fiery debut in 2012 left a lasting mark, where he won 3 matches out of 4, and when he returned in 2014, he believed it was just the beginning. But for over a decade, he’s been watching from the outside, until now. But just not in the way he once imagined. Yet, he still wants to make sure his “biggest regrets” are not repeated this time.

Keegan Bradley doesn’t want to repeat past mistakes

With the 45th Ryder Cup just days away, Keegan Bradley is in full-blown prep mode, but his focus isn’t just on strategy and stats. It’s emotional groundwork, too. As Europe rolls in with momentum from their 2023 win, Bradley’s job is to flip the script — not just on paper, but in his players’ mindset. And so far, he’s zeroed in on something you can’t coach on the range. “Sometimes in your life and in your career, you have to take stock in what’s happening around you. I think one of my biggest regrets earlier in my career wasn’t enjoying things more,” he said during his press conference. For Bradley, it’s not just about winning, but it’s about making sure no one leaves with regret.

And he knows that feeling all too well. His Ryder Cup career, as electric as it once was, was short, and if there’s one thing he carries with him now, it’s that he didn’t enjoy it enough when he had the chance. That’s why this week, he’s encouraging his players to feel the weight of the Ryder Cup, not just carry it. When the team stepped onto the iconic first tee at Bethpage, he watched as jaws dropped and eyes widened, and not in fear, but awe. “It was a powerful moment,” he said. “Guys were really taking that in and enjoying it, and that was a beautiful thing,” he added.

So while Europe preps to defend the crown, Bradley’s building something different — not just a team, but a memory. He’s making sure that Scottie Scheffler and the rest don’t walk away wondering what might’ve been. Every pairing, every team walk, every pressure-packed moment — Bradley’s urging them to feel it all. And if they leave Bethpage with full hearts and no regrets? That, to him, will be a win, regardless of the scoreboard.