Whatever happened at Bethpage was, in the easiest terms, so golf. And yes, plenty of American team members were sure it’d turn out that way, including Justin Thomas. And hopefully in their favor. That didn’t happen. Yes, after being beaten on Friday and Saturday during the match play, Team USA made a strong comeback on the Sunday singles, overcoming a seven-point deficit to eventually lose the Ryder Cup 15-13. The team’s worst home defeat since 2012, and sixth overall loss in the last 8 editions.

However, that comeback was admirable. But plenty of fans and critics couldn’t believe Team USA played so poorly during the first two days. A sentiment that even PGA Tour pro, Michael Kim, who criticised the match-play performances (and decisions) echoed, saying, “Do they [PGA of America] ultimately care if US wins? Let’s just pick who the next captain we want? Any long term planning or thinking for the US side?”

But that doesn’t mean America was a beaten team. Even JT feels so. During an appearance for PGA Tour Originals, he singled out the critics, saying, “people always give us a hard time, saying, we just gotta make more putts. We just have to play better. I am sure there are little things that we can do, but at the end of the day, it’s always that you got to find a way to beat those guys more often.”

Kevin Kisner, one of Bradley’s five vice captains, echoed it, “Young made that putt before they put it on the scoreboard, so I pointed at the scoreboard and raised my hands, then they posted it and the crowd would go nuts. Then Justin Thomas did it and Bryson came back and these people are just going crazy out there, the energy was so much fun.”

And a lot of what they said is right.

The conversations following Sunday wasn’t whether Europeans will win, but by how much. After all, Europeans had a historic commanding lead (11.5 – 4.5). But then the tide shifted once the Americans started painting the board left, right, and center, with JT earning the second singles point for his team after Cameron Young. Then others followed.

At some point, it felt like the Americans would flip the script, and make the greatest comeback in the Ryder Cup history. While that did not happen, Team USA did earn 5 points on Sunday, a performance that saved them from the embarrassment that might’ve come their way otherwise.

And Justin has felt proud of this team since the beginning, since the day of the loss. Sharing a few pictures on Instagram on September 29, he had written, “Played to the whistle we did. Still in awe at what this team did yesterday and how much fun we had doing it. So grateful to be a part of another Ryder Cup. Hats off to the Ryder Cup Europe and how well they played all week, they earned it. Until next time @rydercupusa 🇺🇸”. 

So, yes, Team USA played plenty during the singles. And yes, Sunday was exactly what’s golf is all about. Dramatic. Unforgetabble. Random. And cruel, even if fun. Especially for the Team USA captain, Bradley.

Keegan Bradley admits he is struggling to beat the Ryder Cup loss blues

Keegan Bradley isn’t sugarcoating his feelings about the Ryder Cup loss. “You win, it’s glory for a lifetime. You lose, it’s ‘I’m going to have to sit with this for the rest of my life,'” he said on Monday. The 39-year-old captain took the blame for some mistakes, including the course setup (plus the poor pairings).

“You put so much into it, and you have all this planning, and the first two days went as poorly as we could have ever thought,” Bradley said, describing the emotional toll of the loss. And if that doesn’t ring the bell, think about that moment where after another massive loss during the match play, Bradley had to walk out of the course to take a breather before addressing his team on Saturday night.

Regardless, Bradley is still stuck in the “Ryder Cup fog,” trying to shake off the loss and get back to his game. “Since the Ryder Cup to now has been one of the toughest times in my life,” he admitted. Despite the bitter taste of defeat, he’s had a stellar year, winning the 2024 BMW Championship and the 2025 Travelers Championship, where he’s the defending champion.

“This effing event has been so brutal to me. I don’t know if I want to play. No, I do,” Bradley said, his frustration still simmering. Still, Bradley confessed the experience was “incredible.” Yes, despite all the bad memories (and numbers) attached to it.