Keegan Bradley Clears the Air About Justin Thomas and the Ryder Cup Controversy

Keegan Bradley Clears the Air About Justin Thomas and the Ryder Cup Controversy

In a surprising turn of events, Keegan Bradley was named the Ryder Cup captain for the 2025 edition, which will be held at Bethpage Black. This announcement was particularly notable given the USA’s lackluster performance under Zach Johnson’s leadership at the previous Ryder Cup in Rome. The decision to appoint Bradley has sparked debate and surprise among golf enthusiasts and players alike. Notably, Rickie Fowler expressed his astonishment at Bradley’s selection, while Justin Thomas has been a vocal supporter, underscoring Bradley’s qualifications and potential for success.

 

Thomas’s endorsement of Bradley was significant, especially since Netflix’s popular series *Full Swing* had recently highlighted the contentious selection process for the 2023 Ryder Cup. The series depicted Thomas as a key figure in the selection process, suggesting that his close relationship with then-captain Zach Johnson might have unfairly influenced the choices, leading to Bradley’s exclusion despite his strong performance and candidacy.

 

Now, as the new Ryder Cup captain, Bradley has addressed these issues in a recent appearance on the Fore Play Podcast. He took the opportunity to clarify the reality behind the events leading up to the 2023 Ryder Cup, particularly in relation to Netflix’s portrayal. Bradley expressed his frustration with how the show presented the situation, revealing that the portrayal of him as an outsider was misleading.

 

Bradley described how, in the early stages of his career, he adopted a mindset that was both competitive and somewhat isolating. “When I first came onto the tour, I was incredibly focused on my own game and not very open to forming friendships,” Bradley admitted. He explained that this mindset led him to perceive other players negatively, even inventing reasons to feel adversarial towards them. He recognized this as a mistake and noted that his approach had evolved significantly over time. “I see now how important camaraderie and genuine friendships are in this sport,” he said. “The tour can be very lonely, and having a supportive network is crucial.”

 

Bradley also took issue with how Netflix magnified the situation, portraying a tight-knit ‘boys club’ dynamic and implying that he was not part of this circle of friends. He insisted that such a portrayal was unfair. “I have a strong friendship with Justin Thomas and many others,” he said. “The show made it seem as though I was excluded, but that’s not the case at all. I was rooting for Justin because of the respect I have for his dedication and preparation.”

 

Justin Thomas, for his part, echoed Bradley’s sentiments about the Netflix series. He suggested that the show’s representation was not entirely accurate. “I definitely wasn’t campaigning for a spot,” Thomas said. “Watching the show, I felt a bit disheartened by how things were portrayed. It made me root for Keegan even more after seeing what he went through.” Thomas’s comments further reinforce the idea that while the series provided compelling content and a behind-the-scenes look at the Ryder Cup selection process, it may have exaggerated or distorted some aspects to enhance the dramatic effect.

 

In sum, while Netflix’s *Full Swing* succeeded in capturing the intrigue and drama surrounding the Ryder Cup selections, it appears that the real story behind Bradley and Thomas’s relationship, as well as the broader dynamics within the team, was more nuanced than what was presented on screen. Both Bradley and Thomas have now publicly addressed these discrepancies, aiming to set the record straight and highlight the genuine respect and friendship that exists among the players. As the 2025 Ryder Cup approaches, it will be interesting to see how Bradley’s leadership and the evolving team dynamics unfold in this prestigious golf event.