An insider has revealed startling details about Team USA’s preparation – or lack thereof – ahead of their 2025 Ryder Cup defeat at Bethpage Black.
The claims, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by popular golf personality Rick Golfs (@Top100Rick), suggest that Keegan Bradley’s side entered the tournament far less prepared than Team Europe. Rick, who has 65,000 followers, posted screenshots of a text message from an anonymous source who was reportedly inside the U.S. camp throughout the week.
“This is 100% verified,” Rick wrote.
Minimal Course Practice for Team USA
According to the insider, Team USA played just nine holes twice in the days leading up to the Ryder Cup. On another occasion, rain forced the team to abandon Bethpage Black after only five holes, which they played at a nearby course.
In stark contrast, Luke Donald’s European squad reportedly played the full 18 holes at Bethpage eight times in the 10 days before competition began.
If true, the disparity in preparation helps explain Europe’s dominant start, storming to a seven-point lead heading into the Sunday singles. Although the U.S. fought back valiantly on the final day, they ultimately fell short as Europe sealed a 15-13 victory – becoming the first away team since 2012 to lift the Ryder Cup.
Insider Criticism of Team USA’s Approach
“This wasn’t just about pairings or course setup,” the insider claimed. “Team USA simply didn’t prepare. Why did they look lost? Why couldn’t they read a green? Europe played the course over and over – the Americans barely played it at all.”
The anonymous source went further, accusing the U.S. team of not taking the event seriously enough.
“Europe knew those greens, those pins, and those conditions inside and out, while the U.S. was sitting in the clubhouse having lunch,” the message read. “It struck me as really strange, and probably something the public will never hear about since it all happened behind closed doors.”
Fan Frustration Mounts
Rick echoed the insider’s frustration, saying American golf fans should be furious if the claims are accurate.
“This is hugely embarrassing,” he wrote. “If Team USA really played Bethpage only once or twice compared to Europe’s seven or eight times, then no wonder they were unprepared. The U.S. team presents themselves as 100% invested, but this paints a very different picture.”
The revelations add further fuel to the debate about how the PGA of America and Team USA prepare for golf’s biggest team event – and why Europe continues to find success even on American soil.
