"I have this gaping hole in my career" - Bradley hungry for second chance in Ryder Cup

Team United States Captain Keegan Bradley speaks on stage during the Opening Ceremony before the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/PGA of America)

Keegan Bradley admits September's Ryder Cup defeat left a "gaping hole" in his career and that he'd love a second chance to captain the USA or to make the team again as a player.

While he believes Tiger Woods will take the captaincy whenever he feels ready, Bradley is still hurting after losing 15-13 to Europe at Bethpage Black.

"I have this like gaping hole in my career now that I don't know that I'll ever be able to fill," he said ahead of Woods' Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.

"This isn't something that you lose the Masters, you lose a tournament, I'm going to work extra hard to get back and win.

"Being the captain of the Ryder Cup team is not something you can work hard for; it's just something that's sort of elected on you.

"I don't know. Of course, I would love to do it again, I would love to avenge that loss, but that's not up to me.

"I don't think that's fair for me to come out here and say that. But I would love to do it again at some point. I don't know if that will ever happen, probably won't.

"I think if you ask any losing captain if they would like to do it again, they would all want another shot."

Woods turned down the chance to do the job in New York and admitted on Tuesday that he had not been asked about being captain at Adare Manor in 2027.

But Bradley knows that Woods only has to say the word, and he will be handed the captaincy by the PGA of America.

"I think if Tiger wants to do this, he's going to do it," Bradley said.

"Tiger is not only a hero to all of us that would be on his team, but he's also an incredible leader and a person that everyone would love to play for.

"But I'm pretty sure when he wants to do this, he's going to get to be able to do it."

While he won the Travelers Championship and played well enough to merit a place on his own Ryder Cup team, Bradley gave his season "an F" because of the result at Bethpage.

He described his post-Ryder Cup hangover as "the darkest time of my life, probably", though he's now feeling better and won The Skins Game last week.

"I don't know how else to describe it," he said. "Certainly, definitely, of my career.

"There's always this letdown after a Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup, regardless of the outcome, because the emotions are so extreme.

"It's Ryder Cup hangover, and you're just exhausted, and you're down, you know. That takes a toll on you.

"But there's just, it just was, it just was a tough time. Still is. But to be honest with you, the last couple of weeks I've felt more like myself.

"Getting back, getting ready to play tournaments, playing the Skins game, getting ready to come play here.

"Really, it's been tough for all of us, not just me, the players as well.

"I feel like every time I see a player on the team here, I want to just go give him a hug and sit down and chat.

"But I'm grateful for everybody. I'm in a unique position where I could make another team, which has never been done. I would love to do that."