There’s more than one thing that connects the Solheim Cup and the Ryder Cup. While being equal counterparts for men and women, the Cups bring prestige, team pride, and patriotism above all else. However, a familial legacy is shaping the narratives this year. Pat Bradley, aunt of Keegan Bradley and former Solheim Cup captain, shared a heartfelt message with just days left for the Bethpage showdown. As Keegan Bradley takes on the captain’s hat, how would this message shape the Ryder Cup captain?

In a video shared by the LPGA on Tuesday, Pat Bradley herself recites a letter to Keegan Bradley, being in his shoes before. Pat, who led the US Team in the 2000 edition of the Solheim Cup, still bathes in the legacy of her incredible leadership. She has juggled those responsibilities before. Hence, her words serve as an intimate entry point for Keegan. What’s probably more interesting, however, is the presence of two captains from the same team, highlighting the family’s patriotic spirit. Keegan learned that early on, as shared by Pat in the letter.

“Dear Keegan, I remember the moment like it was yesterday. It was the 1999 Ryder Cup at the Country Club. You were 13 years old, standing on your tiptoes at the 18th green,” Pat recalled. “Watching the Americans rally back at Brookline, you looked at your dad and said, ‘I want to play in a Ryder Cup one day.’ From that moment on, your goals were set. Ryder Cup became more than a dream. It became your mission.” Looking at the Americans fighting for something so close to their hearts, uniting the entire team in a common thread—that’s all it took for Keegan to find his inner calling.

The path, however, wasn’t always easy for him. Despite a strong season in 2023, Bradley was left out of the US Team. That sparked a lot of controversy, with Justin Thomas making the team even though he had a comparatively poor season. Fast forward to 2025, Bradley is the one who’s captaining the American team. As per the members, Bradley is already doing a better job, fixing mistakes that cost them their last Ryder Cup. However, the responsibility is unlike any other, and no one understands this better than his aunt, Pat Bradley.

Reminding Bradley of the bigger motivation, Pat shared, “These Ryder Cup matches are all about heart, history, and love of country. And now it’s your turn to lead.” However, by far the most important message is this simple yet profound reminder, acting as an emotional crutch to Bradley in his hardest moments on the course: “Keegan, you know what a Ryder Cup means. You’ve studied it. You’ve lived it. You’ve laid it all on the table for this game. That’s what us Bradleys do.”

For Bradley, it is more than a few words of inspiration before the Ryder Cup. It is a montage of familial legacy, emotional anchor, and guidance from those who have walked the path before him. Shouldering the weight of the American team, Bradley is up for one of the most important chapters of his career. While Pat is proud of Bradley, she wants Bradley to remember the drive that took him from the audience racks to the greens.

“I hope you take that little boy with you to Bethpage. Let him feel the crowd’s energy. Let him embrace this moment. Let him see how far he’s come,” Pat added. For what it matters, the most wholesome message came after that. Pat expressed, “And always remember, no matter the outcome, I love you and I believe in you. I know you can do this.”

Although nothing grand, this letter serves as a reminder of the strength of belief and support from loved ones. The family that brought Bradley to the major stages is now pushing him to produce his first Ryder Cup glory. From that childhood vision at Brookline to leading Team USA at Bethpage, Bradley’s journey has come full circle.

Keegan Bradley: From childhood dreams to Ryder Cup captaincy

Keegan Bradley’s journey to the big stages is nothing short of incredible. Born in Vermont, Bradley grew up surrounded by golf. Taking early masterclasses from his PGA pro father and Hall of Famer aunt, Bradley soon developed a passion for golf. With nine collegiate wins, Bradley proved his talent beyond his family legacy. Bradley turned pro in 2008 and won the PGA Championship in 2011 in his debut. That established him as a reputed golfer on the courses. From his childhood days rooting for the American team to lifting his own trophies, Bradley built his career with grit, clutch performances, and a relentless drive.

Now, stepping into the role of the USf Team captain, Bradley is shouldering huge responsibilities. As he told Esquire, “My dream was to play on the PGA Tour, play Ryder Cups, win tournaments, win majors. Being a Ryder Cup captain is beyond something you’d ever even think about. Even some of the greatest players ever haven’t been able to do this.” The weight is immense, carrying the legacy of American golf with his role. “When you’re representing America, people are invested. They want you to win. I feel that, and I feel the passion that they’re bringing towards this event,” he said. Bradley now stands at the crossroads of legacy and leadership, ready to turn lifelong dreams into Ryder Cup history.