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Ryder Cup Blame Game: Thomas vs. Bethpage Greenskeepers
3 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Justin Thomas accused Bethpage greens staff of poor course setup.
- Captain Keegan Bradley accepted blame for the Ryder Cup loss.
- A groundskeeper rebuffed Thomas' comments as excuses for losing.
Tensions surfaced weeks after the Ryder Cup as Justin Thomas publicly critiqued the Bethpage Black greenskeeping staff. He alleged the course conditions did not align with captain Keegan Bradley's specifications, particularly regarding green speed, which he felt hindered the US team's performance. Thomas described the situation as peculiar, especially during a home Ryder Cup.
A Bethpage groundskeeper responded sharply to Thomas' accusations, labeling them as 'excuses' and asserting that the US team did not properly accept their loss. The staff member defended their work, suggesting the team struggled to adapt rather than due to course setup.
Captain Keegan Bradley stepped in to diffuse the dispute, taking full blame for the Ryder Cup defeat. He commended the grounds crew's efforts, asserting the course was in 'great shape' and attributing the loss to the superior play of the European team. Bradley emphasized that no external factors were responsible for the outcome.
