After losing the Ryder Cup just two months ago, the U.S. captain got the last laugh against Europe’s best.

The Skins Game returned to golf after disappearing for nearly two decades, and Keegan Bradley made sure everyone remembered why made-for-TV golf used to be appointment viewing. The 38-year-old U.S. Ryder Cup captain walked away with a record $2.1 million and 11 skins at Panther National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on Black Friday. The entire prize pool in the last Skins Game back in 2008 was just $1 million, which shows how much the game has grown.

$900,000 With One Putt

Bradley’s defining moment came on the 13th hole when he drained a seven-footer worth $900,000 after carryovers from the previous three holes piled up. It was briefly the richest single-hole payout in Skins Game history until Tommy Fleetwood topped it moments later with a $1.125 million skin on the final hole. Bradley’s first skin came on the fifth hole and was worth five skins and $375,000 because nobody won the opening four holes.

Ryder Cup Banter Gets Heated

The trash talk was the real entertainment. Shane Lowry, who holed the winning putt for Europe at Bethpage Black in September, couldn’t resist twisting the knife. After matching Bradley’s birdie on the third hole, Lowry grinned and said, “I’ve just spent the last few months breaking Keegan Bradley’s heart.” Bradley didn’t stay quiet either, joking he needed as much revenge against Tommy and Shane as he could get after watching Europeans make putts for what felt like a lifetime.

Schauffele Gets Shut Out

While Bradley was cashing checks and Fleetwood finished second with $1.7 million, Xander Schauffele went home empty-handed. Zero skins. Zero dollars. The two-time major champion, who was Bradley’s teammate at the Ryder Cup, couldn’t find a birdie when it mattered. To make things worse, Schauffele will drop from No. 3 to No. 4 in the world rankings next week when Fleetwood jumps past him.

Last-Minute Substitute Steps In

Shane Lowry wasn’t even supposed to be there. The Irishman filled in for Justin Thomas, who withdrew after undergoing microdiscectomy surgery for a herniated disc on November 14. Thomas had been dealing with nagging hip pain for months and decided to address it before the 2026 season. Lowry made the most of his opportunity, picking up one skin worth $200,000 and delivering the best one-liners of the day.

What Bradley Said After Winning

The victory meant more than just money for Bradley. He’s been processing the Ryder Cup loss for two months, and getting to face Fleetwood and Lowry again felt therapeutic. After seeing Fleetwood miss a putt early in the match, Bradley admitted, “Oh man, that felt good. I need as much revenge against Tommy and Shane as I can get.” The win pushed Bradley over $10 million in earnings for 2024 when combined with his $8 million from PGA Tour events.