STWF Sports | Nov. 02, 2025 – The aftermath of the 2025 Ryder Cup continues to unravel, and this time Justin Thomas has added a new layer of controversy. The two-time major champion, who is recovering from back surgery, revealed that members of the U.S. Ryder Cup team clashed with Bethpage Black staff over what they believed were unusually slow greens—conditions that played directly into Europe’s hands.
Europe defeated the United States 15–13 at Bethpage Black, winning the Ryder Cup on American soil for the first time in 13 years. While the final score suggested a competitive battle, much of the damage was done early. Europe stormed out to a massive lead on Friday and Saturday, taking full advantage of course conditions that frustrated the Americans from the opening tee shot.
Now Thomas is shedding light on growing tensions that simmered beneath the surface.
TEAM USA’S FRUSTRATION BEGAN WITH A SETUP BACKFIRE
According to Thomas, the problems began before a single match was played.
The U.S. team, led by captain Keegan Bradley, decided to cut the rough shorter than usual in an attempt to benefit the longer-hitting Americans. Bradley later admitted that the strategy backfired, giving Europe more freedom off the tee rather than creating punishment for errant drives.
But the rough wasn’t the only miscalculation.
Team USA also wanted the greens to run at PGA Tour speeds, hoping to leverage their advantage in putting on faster surfaces. Historically, Europe has performed better on slower greens—a trend that showed itself early as the Americans repeatedly struggled to adjust.
Instead of the lightning-fast greens they expected, Thomas said the surfaces were noticeably slower, a surprise that ignited a series of heated exchanges between U.S. players and Bethpage Black staff.
“WE WERE BEING FOUGHT WITH”: THOMAS DETAILS TENSE BACK-AND-FORTH
Speaking on the No Laying Up podcast, Thomas made it clear the tension was real—and unusual for a home Ryder Cup team.
“I don’t really understand that,” Thomas said. “I don’t know why the greens weren’t at all what Keegan had asked for. He had been pretty clear about asking for a certain speed and wanting them fast enough.”
Thomas said Bethpage Black’s crew insisted the greens were rolling at 13 on the Stimpmeter, a speed consistent with PGA Tour setups. The U.S. players, however, said the feel was completely different.
“I watched them argue with us that they were 13s,” Thomas continued. “Guys, we play golf every week. Look at how many guys are leaving putts short. Nobody is rolling it three or four feet past the hole. These greens are slow—speed them up.”
Thomas described the situation as “bizarre,” especially for a home Ryder Cup where course setup typically serves as a strategic advantage.
“That’s a fun advantage you generally have as the home team,” he said. “It was so frustrating that we were being fought with and argued with about the speed of the greens we asked for.”
KEEGAN BRADLEY LEFT “STUNNED” BY CONDITIONS
Even Bradley was taken aback. After the opening day, the American captain said the greens felt dramatically different from past visits—even in wet conditions.
“I’ve never seen Bethpage greens play this soft ever,” Bradley said. “Even when it’s rained, this is something I’ve never seen. Chip shots were spinning backwards.”
Europe took full advantage of the sluggish surfaces, steadying their pace and controlling their pace of play while the Americans repeatedly left putts short.
GREENS FINALLY ADJUSTED—BUT TOO LATE
The Bethpage crew made adjustments heading into Sunday, speeding up the greens for the final round. Team USA mounted a spirited comeback, winning several singles matches to narrow the deficit. But the damage from Friday and Saturday proved insurmountable.
Europe ultimately hoisted the trophy, leaving the Americans to wonder what might have been had their preferred setup been met from the start.
THE AFTERMATH
Thomas’s revelations reinforce a growing narrative: the U.S. team lost not only the Ryder Cup but also control over its home-course conditions. As Team USA looks ahead to future competitions, the unexpected showdown with course staff at Bethpage Black will serve as a hard-learned lesson in execution, planning, and communication.
