THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

March 13, 2026

Keegan Bradley

TPC Sawgrass

Quick Quotes

Q. Great finish there. What was the difference between yesterday and today for you?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: Well, yesterday on the first hole I hit a cart path, went into a bush. Then I hit another drive on the 11th hole, it clipped the tree and we couldn't find it. So, I mean just two sort of bad shots that got really penalized, made nine. So played really well other than those two holes.

Q. Is it hard to keep your patience, especially at a place like this where trouble is around every corner, especially when you're game's feeling like it's better than the results are showing?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: Yeah, I mean, this course is as stressful of a golf course as we play anywhere in the world. Every shot is, like, brutal. So really proud of the way I played today. I really needed this round.

Q. Those two shots you spoke of, does it feel like a microcosm of the season that you're having this far?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: Yeah, when it clipped the tree on 11 and we just -- no one knew where it went. I didn't even really look for it. We didn't know where to look. It might be in the tree. Yeah, it's been a weird start to the year but this is the type of day that can turn it around.

Q. Why?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: Well, I mean, I'm probably going to miss the cut today, and now I'm 1-under par; it's not that bad. I know you shoot 72, 71, you would be pretty happy. So I mean, I'm not that far out of a good finish right now. I can go out there and shoot another low one tomorrow hopefully.

Q. How does this course play to your strengths?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: Well, I think the way I played today I hit a ton of fairways. Hit a ton of fairways. And then I made a lot of 5-, 6-footers that you're going to have out here, just a lot of tricky little shots, and you're going to have weird putts for par. But it really, it tests everything. Like, this is as close to a major as you'll ever find.

Q. How much was the cut on your mind when you woke up this morning?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: Oh, a lot, yeah. I mean, especially it was kind of nasty this morning. It was cold and windy. I just really love this tournament and, like, to not play the weekend would be gross. So I am really proud of the round.

Q. Rolapp talked about how the cut matters on the PGA TOUR. Is today an example of that for you? Were you feeling that pressure on the back nine?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: Yeah, gosh, was I ever. I feel more nervous a lot of times on the cut line than I do to win a tournament. I actually am way more nervous. Especially with these holes that you play. Like from the shot on 12 until 18, every shot you could hit it in the water or make a mess of the hole. Really, gosh, I hit some really great shots and made some nice putts.

Q. And you're nervous because by definition you're not quite on your game; that's why you're on the cut line?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: Well, there's a lot at stake here. I go and play the last two 2-under and I'm at 1-under par. I'm right there to have a good week. As opposed to like I play a couple over there, I miss the cut and you're done. So if you have a tee time on the weekend, especially around here, you can go out there and shoot, you know -- you may not win the tournament, but you've still you got a lot to play for on the weekend here.

Q. Has it been freeing since last year; you had to divide your attention between playing and also getting ready to captain. Now that you're kind of focused back on being a player, how has that change been from last year?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: Listen, it's been a little difficult. I'm still heartbroken from the Ryder Cup. So trying my best to separate myself and move on, but it's hard. I think about it a lot. I think about the guys a lot, and I'm still in the process of getting past all that.

Q. Is it regret or just more just like just hanging around in your head?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: No, unless you're a captain of the Ryder Cup team you just have no idea what goes into it and the emotional toll that it takes on you. I think like a lot of guys that do it, they're basically done playing, so they never again -- I'm the first person to have to sort of deal with this, get back out there, try to be one of the best players in the world and make the next team. So I'm still navigating how to do that. But it's on my mind.

Q. Would you like another crack at it?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: I mean, yeah, sure, I would, but I don't know if that's in the cards for -- yeah I think any Ryder Cup captain that loses would like to do it again, I would imagine. But that's not up to me. I don't think that -- I think that the distraction of me playing, maybe playing isn't really what the position is about. So who knows in the future.

Q. You're involved, though, in the decision making process, right?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: Yeah.

Q. You've got a seat the at the table?

KEEGAN BRADLEY: A little bit, yeah.