Keegan Bradley’s opening speech as Team USA captain at the Ryder Cup didn’t go quite as planned on Wednesday, as a slip of the tongue left both players and fans momentarily stunned.
Taking the stage after Team Europe skipper Luke Donald at the opening ceremony at Bethpage Black, Bradley delivered a passionate address aimed at firing up his players and the New York crowd. But in recalling one of his earliest Ryder Cup memories, he made a mix-up that drew an awkward hush from the galleries.
“The Ryder Cup became personal for me in 1999 at Brookline,” Bradley began. “I was 13 years old, perched on my dad’s shoulders, watching Justin Rose’s miracle putt drop on 17. When the crowd erupted on 18, my dad let me join in on the celebration.”
The story itself was true — only it wasn’t Justin Rose. The hero of Brookline’s famous “Battle of Brookline” comeback was Justin Leonard, whose monster putt on 17 sealed a legendary U.S. victory. Rose, in fact, is an Englishman who has gone on to play a starring role for Europe, and he was seated on the opposite side of the stage as Bradley delivered the gaffe.
Bradley quickly recovered and carried on with his speech, which otherwise struck the right chord. He paid tribute to his players, emphasized the unique bond they share, and reflected on the passion that the Ryder Cup ignites.
“To our 12 players, you’re bonded in a way I’ve never seen before,” Bradley said. “You’ve inspired me every day, and being your captain is the honor of a lifetime. This week, the Ryder Cup fire that lit in me as a boy will fuel our team. We’ll play with heart, honor, and with every dream sparked by the fire of this competition.”
Bradley has been praised for galvanizing his squad in the buildup, even inviting the son of a firefighter killed on 9/11 to deliver an emotional team address earlier this week. While his Rose-Leonard mix-up was an embarrassing stumble, it did little to dampen the atmosphere heading into Friday’s matches at Bethpage.
For Bradley and Team USA, the mission remains clear: reclaim the Ryder Cup against a mighty European opponent.
