Keegan Bradley bizarrely reveals he has not opened his suitcase since the 2012 Ryder Cup following his Team USA snub from Zach Johnson

Keegan Bradley oddly revealed that he hasn’t opened his briefcase since losing the Ryder Cup 11 years ago following his criticism of Team USA on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old had failed to qualify for any of the six automatic qualifying spots and finished 11th in the standings, meaning his fate lay in the hands of captain Zach Johnson.

But Bradley, a self-described outsider, was once again left out when Johnson announced his six captaincy picks, including controversial pick Justin Thomas.

And the New England native doesn’t seem to be taking it very well. Bradley took to Instagram, where he appeared to regret missing out on the chance to win the Ryder Cup for the US, and bizarrely revealed he hadn’t opened his suitcase since competing in the 2012 edition.

“This is my 2012 Ryder Cup briefcase, which I haven’t opened since that Sunday. I promised myself I wouldn’t open it until I won a Ryder Cup,” Bradley shared alongside the piece of luggage with Team USA relief.

The 37-year-old took to Instagram after not being selected as one of Zach Johnson’s picks

The New England native was part of the US team that collapsed at the 2012 Ryder Cup

“That week changed my view of golf forever. The Ryder Cup suddenly became very important to me. During that week I had some of my best memories combined with some of the darkest of my golf career. ⁣

“I am proud of the effort I have put in to form this great team more than ten years later. But it was not the intention. All the support has been great, but now it’s time to get behind this American team. I’m going to look at them and pull as hard as I can for them! GOUSA.’

Bradley was part of Davis Love III’s USA team, which infamously collapsed during the singles matches on the final day, leading to Europe’s Miracle of Medinah.

He automatically qualified for the team that year, occupying fourth spot out of eight behind Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson and Jason Dufner.

Bradley won the Travelers Championship and the Zozo Championship this season, but his two wins weren’t enough to convince Johnson to take him to Rome.

Instead, the US captain chose Thomas, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth and Sam Burns to join his six automatic qualifiers against Europe at Marco Simone.

The six qualifiers for Team USA were already deadlocked after the BMW Championship, with Xander Schauffele squeezing into last place alongside Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay and Max Homa.

“I’ve always been an outsider in the sport, but I’ve tried to get closer to the guys I thought would be on the team,” Bradley said. Tom Lewis of Golf Channel.

US captain Zach Johnson revealed his wild card picks to face Europe next month in Rome

Justin Thomas was a surprise selection from Johnson after his recent poor form

‘I feel like moving on. I have to automatically qualify for the Ryder Cup… I choose the USA team.’

Despite Thomas being hailed as a “generational talent,” the criticism clearly stung Bradley.

Thomas comes as a questionable pick, with Johnson opting to overlook the two-time major winner’s recent poor form that saw him miss out on the PGA Tour’s end-of-season playoffs.

However, Johnson defended his choice, insisting he couldn’t leave Thomas at home.

“He has without a doubt been the heart and soul of Team USA,” said Johnson. Our emotional leader. He leads by example. His passion for the Ryder Cup is very clear. In my eyes he was born for this, and JT just won’t leave you at home.’

Johnson could rely on Thomas’ experience, with the 30-year-old having a 6-2-1 record in Ryder Cup action. He took two and a half points from four games at Whistling Straits in 2021.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself to form this team because it means so much to me,” said Thomas. ‘But it was a valuable learning experience for me. I will use it in the future. You can want something too much, and this season I sometimes did. I’m very lucky to be here.’

Johnson is also likely to try to revive the ready-made, successful collaboration between childhood friends Thomas and Spieth.

Johnson will also likely try to revive Thomas and Spieth’s ready partnership

Bradley had said the 24 hours after the Tour Championship would be ‘hell’ before leaving East Lake on Sunday.

“Hopefully I get the chance to play on this team,” said Bradley. “If I don’t, I’ll be rooting hard. In recent years it has been very difficult for me to watch the Ryder Cup because I just wasn’t in talks to get on the team. But this year will be different if I don’t make the team. I’ll watch, and I’ll fight for the boys, just like I’m playing.’

The US secured a dominant victory over Europe in Whistling Straits in 2021, but head to Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in search of their first victory on European soil in 30 years.

European captain Luke Donald’s team has yet to be finalized, but heavyweights Rory McIlroy, Masters champion Jon Rahm, FedEx Cup champion Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton are already locked up.