Bradley under fire as US Ryder Cup captaincy comes under strain at Bethpage Black

Keegan Bradley’s tenure as the United States Ryder Cup captain is coming under intense scrutiny as Europe presses a commanding early lead at Bethpage Black. After a rocky start to the weekend, critics highlighted controversial pairings, off-field gestures and what many describe as a misread of form as the Americans fall behind in a competition long framed as a test of national resolve.

Friday’s program set the tone with a highly scrutinized foursomes pairing that would become a focal point of criticism. Bradley paired Collin Morikawa with Harris English, a duo widely regarded as a mismatch for the alternate-shot format. The two were overwhelmed by Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, losing 5-and-4. The pairing drew data-based scrutiny: DataGolf, a respected analytics site, had flagged Morikawa-English as the worst possible American foursomes combination among 132 potential options. English had little foursomes experience, while Morikawa—struggling with form and distance off the tee—was widely viewed as better suited to other formats.

Earlier in the day, Sports Illustrated suggested that Bradley’s approach to matchups risked repeating a pattern of missteps, noting that the captain’s selections and ordering could swing the balance against the U.S. as the competition opened to the public in New York. The frustration around the Morikawa-English pairing would echo into the next round as analysts and fans questioned the logic of fielding two relatively conservative drivers in a course where length off the tee can be decisive.

Bradley did not abandon the same pairing on Saturday, sending Morikawa and English out again as part of the morning foursomes. They again faced a stiff test from McIlroy and Fleetwood, this time losing 3-and-2, with the American duo chasing from behind most of the back nine. The result reinforced the perception that Bradley’s strategy had failed to optimize the U.S. lineup, even if the match itself showed signs of a grind as the Europeans pressed their advantage.

The contrast with Europe’s leadership could not be starker. Luke Donald, in his second Ryder Cup as captain, has been lauded for meticulous planning and precise execution. He has managed to maximize the contributions of his top players, including McIlroy, and has presided over a team that has thrived on cohesion and clear strategy. By comparison, Bradley’s approach has been described by some observers as reactive and animated rather than calibrated and disciplined. The disparity aids the perception that the Americans entered the event under-prepared and under-cooked.

On the sidelines, Bradley’s public persona has drawn attention—even before a shot is struck. He drew criticism for a ceremonial moment in which he thanked Justin Rose, rather than Justin Leonard, during the Opening Ceremony, a gaffe many viewed as needlessly petty in a corporate-tinged setting. Then there was the moment Bradley ran down the 18th fairway with an American flag, an episode some observers deemed a deliberate attempt to ignite the crowd. The gesture, coupled with his appearance at a White House-style scene as Air Force One approached for President Donald Trump’s arrival, fed into a narrative that the captain’s focus was as much theater as strategy.

The public dimension of Bradley’s leadership has not been kind. Critics argued that the captaincy, not the team’s talent, would determine the outcome, and Bradley’s insistence on crowd-rousing theatrics appeared to distract from more constructive leadership at a moment when the U.S. needed to recalibrate under pressure. Oliver Holt, writing for the Daily Mail, captured the mood by contrasting the two captains and underscoring the feeling that Bradley’s tenure had spiraled into a series of missteps that magnified the Americans’ woes rather than alleviating them.

Beyond the antics, the on-course decisions have fueled the broader critique. Data-driven observers pointed to the Morikawa-English pairing as a glaring miscalculation given Morikawa’s form and English’s limited experience in foursomes. The U.S. team, led by No. 1 player Scottie Scheffler, had entered the weekend with high expectations, but Scheffler’s early record—three matches played, three losses—had piled the pressure on the captain to maximize the rest of the roster. Bryson DeChambeau, expected to spark the opening momentum, went winless in his Friday matches, complicating Bradley’s bid to generate momentum from the start.

As the event progressed, the juxtaposition between Bradley and Donald sharpened the narrative. While Donald has been praised for his methodical approach, Bradley’s leadership has been scrutinized for its timing, risk tolerance, and willingness to ride or die with experimental pairings. The discussions go beyond individual matches; they touch on the leadership culture of America’s Ryder Cup efforts and whether a captain can reframe a team’s identity mid-event when the stakes are so high.

With Europe maintaining the upper hand through the early sessions, Bradley’s tenure now hinges on how he responds to the mounting criticism and whether adjustments can stem the tide. Some analysts say an acknowledgment of missteps and a recalibration of pairings could salvage pride and provide a path to a late surge. Others argue that the longer the pattern continues, the more difficult it will be to repair the perception of an ill-prepared captaincy.

As the rounds unfold, the public narrative remains heavily focused on Bradley’s choices and the team’s performance, with Europe’s disciplined approach serving as a counterpoint to the U.S. captaincy that critics say has failed to meet the moment. If Bradley ultimately cannot guide the Americans to a meaningful comeback, the episode will be remembered not just for the losses but for the questions it raises about leadership under pressure in one of golf’s most storied team events.