Keegan Bradley and Team USA are facing questions after Europe held onto the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, capping off a dramatic week in New York.
Despite a strong singles push from the Americans, Europe did enough to keep hold of the trophy. Luke Donald’s side only needed two points from the 11 matches on Sunday and managed to get across the line, even though it was far from comfortable.
For a stretch, it looked like Team USA might pull off one of sport’s great comebacks. Europe won just one match all day, and had to hang on late to get over the line. Still, they had already done enough damage in the earlier sessions to put themselves in that position.
The Americans deserve credit for how they fought back on Sunday. But it should not overshadow how dominant Europe were over the first two days, building a lead that proved impossible for Bradley’s side to overcome.
Keegan Bradley took heat for a pre-Ryder Cup remark
Donald will likely go down as one of Europe’s most successful captains, while Bradley’s stint is already being picked apart, with several of his choices under heavy scrutiny.
The 39-year-old was not given an easy hand by the PGA of America. Even so, there were moments where he seemed to misstep.
Speaking on McGinley & Chamblee after the Ryder Cup result was in, Brandel Chamblee pointed to an early misstep by Bradley. It stemmed from something he said to his team after last year’s Presidents Cup.
“Messaging is so important and I am looking at conflicting styles.
“I am by no means criticising Keegan, I thought he did a lot of amazing things on his way to this Ryder Cup and his team played very well.
“But the contrasting styles send very different messages.
“There is the video of Keegan which we have all seen on Netflix where he is trying to pump his team up, he is in the moment, and he says ‘we are going to go and kick their butt’. I just could never have imagined Paul McGinley or Luke Donald saying something like that.
“It emboldens the team you are competing against. It sends a boorish message so to speak.
“And when you think about what Luke Donald said in his speech I thought it was brilliant. He said we play for something money cannot buy, maybe that was a zinger at the US team but I think it was emboldening his team around a common vision.
“Keegan had an edge to him. He had a little edge this week. And playing with a little anger and a chip on your shoulder is probably not the best way for a team to go forward.
“Europe had a sense of purpose. One that they were not taking the money, they were going to play for pride and their country. And two, as Donald’s remarks said, we may not be your team but at week’s end we hope you have given you something to respect and perhaps something to pull for.
“Suggesting that they are going to go and play their hearts out for New York and give them something they could respect,” the pundit concluded.
Keegan Bradley responds to the Presidents Cup video
There is little doubt similar remarks were made in both team rooms throughout the week, with everyone hoping those conversations stayed behind closed doors.
Bradley may feel unlucky that his comments got out, and he did address the situation earlier this year, trying to play down any lingering tension.
“I thought I was in a locker room with my team,” he said (via Guardian).
“You know, that’s what happens in a locker room. I meant no disrespect to the Europeans. This was a time that we had just won the Presidents Cup, I was in the locker room and it was my turn to address the team. And I meant no disrespect, I was more speaking to our guys.”
This Ryder Cup underlined how even small details can make a big difference when two elite teams face off.
Europe were sharper with the putter over the opening two days, which made all the difference early on.
The trust Donald’s players already had in him from Rome carried over into this event and gave him an edge before play even began.
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