American Ryder Cup enthusiasts, already uneasy about Luke Donald’s ominous agreement to reprise his role as European captain next year, found even greater cause for alarm just 24 hours later.
During last year’s Ryder Cup hosted at Bethpage on Long Island, popular golfer Kevin Kisner served as one of Keegan Bradley’s US vice-captains. This tenure unfortunately coincided with Team USA’s second consecutive defeat and their third loss on home soil this century.
Despite the historical struggles of visiting teams in the Ryder Cup, which should have given the US an inherent advantage, they squandered this edge during the initial two days. Luke Donald’s European squad displayed remarkable dominance, ultimately securing victory in the Sunday singles matches.
A significant contributing factor to this outcome was the astonishing condition of the golf course itself. Bethpage, a renowned former US Open venue, had been notably softened, losing its characteristic challenging nature.
“We were really hampered by the weather,” Kisner shared on the Foreplay Podcast, speaking the day after Donald’s appointment as European captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup. “I believe the course setup is the most straightforward factor to address. We had data supporting our choices, but hindsight always offers perfect clarity.”
He continued, expressing regret, “I would have preferred to lose while playing on a typical Bethpage course. But when it rains two inches on Thursday, leaving the greens so soft that we’re intentionally hitting from the rough to reduce backspin…”
Host teams are permitted to modify the Ryder Cup venue to their advantage. For instance, in 2016, the American team shortened the rough and opted for more accessible pin positions. Conversely, Europe increased the rough’s length in both 2018 and 2023.
Last year, Captain Bradley again chose to reduce the rough. However, heavy rain the day before the event commenced significantly softened the course. This weather, combined with other factors, rendered Bethpage uncharacteristically docile for three days, transforming the famously brutal course into what felt like a pitch-and-putt.
As a result, the European team faced no discernible disadvantage, allowing players such as Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm to confidently strike the ball wherever they wished. Commendably, Bradley accepted responsibility for the situation.
Kisner continued, sharing what he called “a hilarious story.” “I was out with one of the initial groups on Friday morning. We reached the 6th hole at Bethpage, playing against Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy. The 6th is a short, downhill hole where you can easily watch your drive.”
“You’re supposed to aim quite far left off the tee there,” Kisner explained. “Tommy steps up and absolutely stripes the ball, clearly headed for the rough the moment he hit it. The instant he made contact, Rory exclaimed, ‘Great shot,’ and Tommy immediately picked up his tee.”
“My thought was, ‘Isn’t that in the right rough?'” Kisner recounted. “We walked down the hill, and I stood at the top, observing. Rory then had a mere 80 yards from the right rough to a front pin position. He hit it to within a foot of the hole, it barely moved, and we ended up losing the hole.”
“I got on the radio and said, ‘Guys, I think we’re in trouble. These opponents are deliberately hitting into the rough on the shorter holes to nullify the spin.'”
To label such a moment “hilarious” seems an intriguing choice of word for an event widely considered an intense, fiercely competitive battle where every detail counts and every player strives for victory. This incident, foreshadowing Team USA’s broader relaxed approach, saw Kisner respond with amusement rather than concern.
He elaborated on another instance: “It involved Harris English and Collin Morikawa. Collin struck his ball perfectly down the middle. Harris then attempted to land his wedge shot 20 feet past the hole, hoping it would spin back. It only spun back half that distance, he missed the putt, and we lost the hole. My immediate thought was, ‘Oh no, this is not good.'”
While a single podcast quote isn’t the sole reason America suffered its ninth Ryder Cup loss in the last twelve contests, it vividly highlights the significant mental disparity between Team Europe and Team USA. Europe treats the coveted trophy as paramount, while the American team often appears less intensely invested.
Furthermore, some might argue that a podcast quote holds little significance because, as becomes evident every two years, the Ryder Cup is frequently over-analyzed. After all, it is essentially an exhibition match between two teams without deep historical rivalries.
Nevertheless, the palpable passion emanating from Europe’s locker room each time is remarkable. Kisner’s comment gains significance because Team USA members claim to share this same level of dedication. For example, Captain Bradley reportedly keeps an unopened suitcase from the 2012 Ryder Cup in his home, vowing not to open it until he wins the event—a victory he still awaits.
What Kisner’s anecdote, coupled with Keegan Bradley’s candid remarks on the course conditions, truly reveals is that the Ryder Cup’s outcome isn’t solely determined by superior play.
Instead, the team that ultimately performs better often does so because they are enabled by optimal conditions, a fact exemplified by Luke Donald leading Europe for a third consecutive time. Donald excels at meticulous planning and attention to detail, an aspect Team USA inexplicably continues to neglect. Their response, as Kisner noted, is often one of amusement.
Kisner’s observations diminish the perceived motivation America holds for reclaiming the Ryder Cup. Should they face defeat at Adare Manor in 2027, it will undoubtedly place enormous pressure on the subsequent captain tasked with leading America’s next home Ryder Cup team.
The question remains: will they still find it ‘hilarious’ then?