Keegan Bradley defends US Ryder Cup fans as just ‘passionate’ amid chaos | Ryder Cup 2025

Keegan Bradley refused to condemn American Ryder Cup fans after the dark scenes that formed a backdrop on the second day with Bethpage Black. Bradley went so far as to suggest curiously that the spectators had been “violent” during the Ryder Cup in Rome two years ago. Bradley’s approach contrasts strongly with that of his European counterpart, Luke Donald, who believes that of the galleries engaged in unacceptable conduct.

Europe leads its hosts 11½-4½ before the last day. Just as on Saturday, however, was a series of unacceptable cries towards European players. These were personal – especially in the direction of Rory McILroy – and regularly delivered while the golfers were preparing to play. McILroy and Shane Lowry filled a four -ball victory with state soldiers boiling holes.

“I thought fans were passionate,” said Bradley. “I mean, their home team is fighting badly. They are passionate fans. I was not in Rome but I heard a lot of stories that Rome was also quite violent.

“But New York fans from what I saw were pretty good. You will always have a few people who crossed the line and it’s unfortunate. I was happy to see our players try to calm some people who were like that.”

Bradley took shade with the suggestion that the American team had fueled those in the stands. Collin Morikawa called on fans to bring the “chaos” to the Ryder Cup. “The Ryder Cups are wild,” said Bradley. “I don’t like these words you just said. I know what you are trying to do. The Ryder Cup is full of passionate fans, full of passionate players.”

Donald was invited to explain the most difficult moments of his team. “It was noisy, it was noisy,” said English. “What I consider that crossing the line is personal insults and making sounds when they try to hit their backswings or very close to when they try to enter their routines. It happened a little. This happened in other Ryder Cups too. It is something for which we have prepared and I can see how well they treated.

“Things have become more difficult there and it pulled them even more. They were able to improve through these difficult times there. This is what makes me the most proud as a captain, just their ability to punch and come back even stronger. ”

Europe only needs two and a half points to keep the cup, Bradley knows that the United States needs a sports miracle. “Wild stuff occurs in sport all the time,” he added.

Donald developed the neck injury to Viktor Hovland, which raises the possibility that Sunday singles will be reduced to 11 games. Hovland was to appear in the four balls of Saturday afternoon after the victory alongside Robert Macintyre in the morning, but was a late call. If the Norwegian is not recovered, a predetermined American player will also be withdrawn from the draw and the two teams will receive half a point.

“He felt quite uncomfortable in the middle of the round this morning,” said Donald. “He obtained a physio. He gave a lot of anti-inflammatory drugs during the round. He finished. He felt good. He went to rest, then he returned to the range to try to hit balls. When he arrived at the driver, he hit one and it was very painful. He struck another and it is even more painful.

“He is on the way now to get an MRI at 20 or 30 minutes and we will see in the morning what he looks like. He is definitely a little raidi. He would love to play and he will do everything he can to play.”

The highest point of the simple draw is Scottie Scheffler against Mcilroy in match four. The desire for Europe to conclude early is demonstrated by the placement of Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Mcilroy and Jon Rahm in the half-dozen games.