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Ryder Cup Fallout Deepens as Justin Thomas Clarifies Greens Dispute and Keegan Bradley Takes Blame

Conflicting accounts over Bethpage green speeds spotlight communication gaps in host-course coordination.

Overview

  • Team Europe won 15–13 at Bethpage Black after building a big lead on softer, slower greens Friday and Saturday, with speeds noticeably quicker during the U.S. singles surge on Sunday.
  • Justin Thomas said on the No Laying Up podcast that U.S. players ‘fought with’ the Bethpage crew over greens he felt were slower than captain Keegan Bradley requested.
  • An anonymous Bethpage turf staffer countered that recorded Stimp data supported their setup and claimed there was zero captain–crew conversation during tournament week.
  • Thomas later clarified that he did not blame the greens crew and suggested the team’s speed requests never reached the staff.
  • Bradley accepted responsibility for the loss, called the aftermath the darkest time of his career, and said the episode underscores a need for clearer setup communication before future Ryder Cups.