Team USA golfer squared up to rival and almost had fight after caddie told to shut up

Team USA will be led by a true competitor in Keegan Bradley at the Ryder Cup in Bethpage next year, especially if one of his past battles with a European fan favourite is anything to go by. The 38-year-old will oversee the hosts trying to reclaim the trophy after their 2023 defeat in Rome, with the build-up currently dominated by the potential eligibility of LIV Golf rebels.

Bradley has twice competed in the competition as a player, finishing on the losing side in both 2012 and 2014.

But it was a year after the latter defeat when he became embroiled in a notorious incident that showed his passion and volatility in equal measures.

Bradley was drawn against Spanish golfer Miguel Angel Jimenez, himself a veteran of four Ryder Cup events, in the third round of the 2015 World Golf Championships at TPC Harding Park. Their duel went to the 18th hole when Bradley seemingly cracked under the pressure, spraying a drive that landed close to a fence off the fairway.

Players were granted a free drop from that area, but Bradley appeared to get lucky when his ball landed on a golf cart path, meaning further relief. Jimenez however, wasn’t happy, insisting his opponent had to take two club lengths before he could drop the ball.

Bradley’s caddie, Steven 'Pepsi' Hale, argued on behalf of his player, only to be told to “shut up” by a man more renowned for smoking cigars during rounds than he was for fiery behaviour. Hale responded with: "Don't you ever tell me to shut up.”

The 2011 US PGA champion had heard enough, telling the Spaniard "You don't tell my caddie to shut up.” The mood was noticeably strained as the two players reached the final green, with Jimenez going on to win the hole and the match.

That sparked a further confrontation, with the pair exchanging words as they shook hands and Hale again getting involved before Bradley ushered him away. Afterwards, the victor told reporters the situation was “finished” and shut down further questions.

And speaking on the Fore Play podcast in 2023 Bradley, who had previously tweeted that Jimenez was “maybe the coolest man alive,” expressed his regret at the flashpoint. "Yeah, I hate it," he said of the footage.

"Sometimes people underestimate me. I'm really embarrassed by it, and every year during the match play. Like, my buddies love it, so they're like sending it in our group chats. I delete it right away because I can't even see it because it's so embarrassing."

Before taking the reins next September, Bradley will represent Team USA as a player again at the Presidents Cup this week in Montreal. It’s an event America have not lost against their International Team opponents since 1998.