Keegan Bradley has been no stranger to criticism lately. Whether it’s for his pairings, his picks, or his overall captaincy strategy, the youngest Ryder Cup captain in recent memory has found himself under a relentless spotlight. And now, after Team USA’s narrow 15-13 loss to Europe at Bethpage Black, that scrutiny has intensified, with even the DP World Tour boss weighing in on just how much Bradley’s decisions may have cost his team.

Keith Pelley, former CEO of the DP World Tour (the organization responsible for managing the European Ryder Cup team), didn’t hold back in an exclusive chat with Sportsnet. “You look at all the noise of their captain (Keegan Bradley) and whether he was going to play or not,” Pelley said. “While he was worrying about (that), ours was creating a plan that was methodically thought out and looked like he’s executed it flawlessly,” he added.

Pelley, now president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, had a front-row seat to Europe’s triumph—just the fourth time in 30 years that the European team has taken the Ryder Cup on American soil.

He wasn’t surprised by the outcome, pointing to the fundamental difference in culture and chemistry between the teams. “I think the fundamental difference is the culture and chemistry and the unwavering will to succeed. And they’ve done everything right. They have done everything really well,” Pelley said.

While Sunday’s scoreboard showed a close 15-13 finish, Europe had built a commanding seven-point lead through the first two days, thanks largely to flawless execution and unshakable passion. Keith Pelley believes that passion is what sets Europe apart, almost echoing Brandel Chamblee’s words from earlier this month.  “(Europe) just takes it a bit more seriously than (the Americans) do,” he explained. “At the end of the day, it really comes down to how much it means to the players and how much respect and love they have for each other,” he added.

Pelley’s words cut straight to the heart of the American team’s struggles. While Keegan Bradley was caught up in distractions and controversial decisions, Europe’s captain, Luke Donald, had meticulously crafted a plan and executed it with precision.

This contrast was glaring from the very first day, when Bradley’s choice to start the Ryder Cup with foursomes, a format where America historically aims to gain early control, backfired spectacularly.

They only won one match in that format on day 1, where Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay were paired together.

Europe made history by winning all three opening foursomes matches on American soil for the first time, handing Team USA a rough start. The pairing of Collin Morikawa and Harris English, in particular, became a focal point of criticism. They were ruthlessly defeated by Rory McIlroy & Tommy Fleetwood on Day 1, but Bradley didn’t change his strategy and sent out the pair again the next day.

Many ranked their duo near the bottom in effectiveness, and Bradley’s decision sparked sarcastic jabs and disbelief from several analysts.

The Americans appeared distracted and disjointed, especially in the early rounds, but Europe, on the other hand, seemed to have its strategy dialed in.  This wasn’t just about missed shots; it was about decisions made off the course that echoed loudly in the final result. Yet, despite the mounting criticism and the tough loss, Keegan Bradley remains proud of the grit and heart his team showed when it mattered most.

Despite the Loss, Keegan Bradley Feels Proud of His Team

Despite the tough loss, Keegan Bradley made it clear that pride in his team’s effort far outweighed any disappointment. “The boys really fought today. That was incredible. I didn’t expect anything different,” Bradley said, reflecting on the resilience his squad showed, especially over the last two days. Even when the scoreboard wasn’t in their favor, the Americans kept their heads high, fueled the crowd, and battled every hole with grit.

It was Bradley’s calm confidence that stood out amid the criticism he’s faced for his pairings and captaincy choices. “They looked like they were battling. Their body language was good. They were pumping up the crowd,” he added, emphasizing that, despite the final result, Team USA never lost its fighting spirit. “That was a coin flip there for a second,” Bradley said of the nail-biting finish, suggesting how close the contest really was.

While the spotlight remains on his strategic decisions, Bradley’s focus stays on the grit and unity of his players—qualities that, in his eyes, made the Ryder Cup battle one to remember. It’s clear that, even in defeat, Bradley feels nothing but pride for the incredible fight his team put up on the biggest stage in golf.