The 45th Ryder Cup from Bethpage Black Golf Course in Farmingdale, N.Y., was expected to be very competitive. Through two days of play, though, it was Team Europe that brought the pain.
They built the largest two-day lead in modern Ryder Cup history, taking an 11.5 to 4.5 lead into Sunday singles.
After Saturday afternoon’s four-ball session, Team USA captain Keegan Bradley had to face the music with the media.
One of the biggest talking points thus far has been fans’ behavior toward the Europeans, particularly Rory McIlroy.
Bradley was asked if he thought fans crossed a line.
“I mean, I thought the fans were passionate,” Bradley said. “I mean, their home team is getting beat bad. You know, they are passionate fans. … Part of it is our fault. We are not playing up to the standards that they want to see, and they are angry, and they should be.”
That prompted a follow-up accusing Bradley’s rhetoric of leading to some of the unruly fans’ comments. “You said the way your players have played is maybe partly to blame for some of the fans crossing the line,” a European media member began saying as Bradley cut him off.
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“I did not say that. That’s not what I said. I said the fans are probably upset that their home team is losing. I did not say that.
“Ryder Cups are wild. I don’t appreciate those words that you just said. I know what you’re trying to do. The Ryder Cup is full of passionate fans. They’re full of passionate players. And that wasn’t right.”
The reporter was referencing Bradley’s comments from earlier this year, asking American fans to bring chaos.
Bradley has long since been known as a player who wears his emotions on his sleeve. In this moment, it appeared as though his emotions got the best of him.
Ryder Cup Sunday singles pairings have been announced. The Americans need to win at 10 matches outright, which is highly unlikely. But Bradley understands it is not over until it is officially over, using Tom Brady in his motivational speech to Team USA after play.
“I was at that 28-3 game against the Falcons. I was there,” said Bradley.
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