Keegan Bradley refused to condemn American Ryder Cup fans after the grim scenes that formed a backdrop to day two at Bethpage Black. Bradley went so far as to curiously suggest spectators had been “violent” during the Ryder Cup in Rome two years ago. Bradley’s approach was in stark contrast to that of his European counterpart, Luke Donald, who believes some those in the galleries engaged in unacceptable conduct.
Europe lead their hosts 11½-4½ heading into the final day. Just as striking on Saturday, though, was a series of unacceptable shouts towards European players. These were personal – especially in the direction of Rory McIlroy – and regularly delivered as golfers were preparing to play. McIlroy and Shane Lowry completed a fourball victory with state troopers lining holes.
“I thought the fans were passionate,” said Bradley. “I mean, their home team is getting beat bad. They are passionate fans. I wasn’t at Rome but I heard a lot of stories that Rome was pretty violent as well.
“But the fans of New York from what I have seen have been pretty good. You’re always going to have a few people that cross the line and that’s unfortunate. I was happy to see our players trying to quieten down some people that were like that.”
Matt Fitzpatrick celebrates surrounded by New York state troopers after he and Tyrrell Hatton defeated Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay. Photograph: Harry How/Getty Images
Bradley took umbrage with the suggestion the US team had stoked those in the stands. Collin Morikawa called for fans to bring “chaos” to the Ryder Cup. “Ryder Cups are wild,” Bradley said. “I don’t appreciate those words that you just said. I know what you’re trying to do. The Ryder Cup is full of passionate fans, full of passionate players.”
Donald was asked to explain his team’s most difficult moments. “It was loud, it was raucous,” said the Englishman. “What I consider crossing the line is personal insults and making sounds when they are trying to hit on their backswings or very close to when they are trying to go into their routines. That did happen a little bit. It’s happened at other Ryder Cups, too. It’s something we prepared for and I can see how well they have dealt with it.
“Things got tougher out there and it fired them up even more. They were able to get better through those difficult moments out there. That is what makes me most proud as a captain, just their ability to take the punches and come back even stronger.”
With Europe needing only two and a half points to retain the cup, Bradley knows the US require a sporting miracle. “Wild stuff happens in sports all the time,” he added.
Donald expanded on the neck injury to Viktor Hovland, which raises the possibility of Sunday’s singles being reduced to 11 matches. Hovland was due to feature in Saturday’s afternoon fourballs after victory alongside Robert MacIntyre in the morning but was a late call-off. Should the Norwegian fail to recover, a predetermined US player will also be removed from the draw and both teams will receive a half point.
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Quick Guide
Ryder Cup singles pairings and timings
Show
12.02 EDT/17.02 BST Cameron Young v Justin Rose
12.13 EDT/17.13 BST Justin Thomas v Tommy Fleetwood
12.24 EDT/17.24 BST Bryson DeChambeau v Matt Fitzpatrick
12.35 EDT/17.35 BST Scottie Scheffler v Rory McIlroy
12.46 EDT/17.46 BST Patrick Cantlay v Ludvig Åberg
12.57 EDT/17.57 BST Xander Schauffele v Jon Rahm
13.08 EDT/18.08 BST JJ Spaun v Sepp Straka
13.19 EDT/18.19 BST Russell Henley v Shane Lowry
13.30 EDT/18.30 BST Ben Griffin v Rasmus Højgaard
13.41 EDT/18.41 BST Collin Morikawa v Tyrrell Hatton
13.52 EDT/18.52 BST Sam Burns v Robert MacIntyre
14.03 EDT/19.03 BST Harris English v Viktor Hovland
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“He was feeling quite uncomfortable in the middle of the round this morning,” Donald said. “He got some physio. He was given a lot of anti-inflammatories during the round. He finished. He was feeling OK. He went in to rest and then he went back out to the range to try and hit some balls. When he got to the driver, he hit one and it was very painful. He hit another one and it got even more painful.
“He is on his way now to go get an MRI scan 20 or 30 minutes away and we’ll see in the morning what he is like. It’s definitely stiffened up a little bit. He would love to play and he’ll do everything he can to play.”
The highlight of the singles draw is Scottie Scheffler versus McIlroy in match four. Europe’s desire to wrap this up early is demonstrated by the placing of Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, McIlroy and Jon Rahm in the top half dozen games.
