Keegan Bradley’s two-word text that made his caddie think he is getting fired

Keegan Bradley’s caddie, Scott Vail, recently shared a humorous story about a misunderstanding that left him thinking he was on the verge of being fired after receiving a short text from Bradley. The two have been working together for eight years, during which time they’ve enjoyed significant success, winning four PGA Tour titles. Despite their achievements, Vail admitted that, like many caddies, he sometimes worries about his job security.

The veteran caddie shared the amusing anecdote during an appearance on the Golf’s Subpar podcast, hosted by Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz. While discussing his time with Bradley, Vail recounted the story of how he misinterpreted a text message that Bradley sent him, fearing the worst.

“I got up at 7 am and saw a message from Keegan. It said, ‘Call me. I need to speak to you,’” Vail explained. “My immediate reaction was panic. I started thinking, ‘What did I do? Am I about to get fired?’”

Vail promptly called Bradley, anxious to find out what was going on. To his relief, he soon learned that Bradley wasn’t upset or planning to let him go. Instead, the golfer simply wanted to share some exciting personal news—he had been named a captain for the upcoming Ryder Cup.

Vail went on to explain the rollercoaster of emotions he experienced during the conversation. “I was shocked at first, but then I got emotional,” Vail recalled. “I was almost in tears because I know how much this means to him. Missing out on the team last year really hurt him, so this news was a big deal.”

Keegan Bradley’s appointment as Ryder Cup captain was a momentous occasion for both the golfer and his long-time caddie, marking a high point in their professional relationship.

The Partnership Between Keegan Bradley and Scott Vail

Keegan Bradley hired Scott Vail as his caddie in 2016, after Vail had spent years building his career in golf. Vail had previously worked with Steven Hale and had carried the bag for Henrik Stenson during his victory at the 2016 Open Championship. His experience and knowledge made him an ideal fit for Bradley, and their partnership quickly began to yield results.

Vail, the son of former NHL player Eric Vail, grew up playing golf at the Oshawa Golf Club in Ontario, Canada. His journey to the PGA Tour was a steady one, starting on the Canadian Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour before making the leap to the highest level of professional golf.

Since teaming up with Bradley, Vail has helped guide him to four PGA Tour victories, including two BMW Championship titles. Most recently, Bradley clinched a thrilling one-shot win over Ludvig Åberg, Sam Burns, and Adam Scott to secure the 2024 BMW Championship. Vail’s role in Bradley’s success has been invaluable, and their bond continues to strengthen with each passing year.

Beyond their individual achievements, Vail and Bradley were also integral parts of Team USA’s victory in the Presidents Cup, adding yet another accolade to their shared history.

This partnership, built on mutual trust and shared goals, has seen them overcome challenges and achieve great success, with their recent triumphs likely only the beginning of what’s to come.