Justin Thomas has revealed a staggering behind-the-scenes row that erupted during the 2025 Ryder Cup — claiming the Bethpage Black grounds crew were arguing with Team USA about green speeds mid-tournament.
According to Thomas, the putting surfaces ended up nowhere near the pace captain Keegan Bradley had demanded, exposing yet another collapse in preparation from the Americans as Europe stormed to a famous away victory in New York.
Luke Donald’s European side won 15–13 to claim their first US soil triumph since Medinah in 2012, while Bradley was hammered for questionable pairings and a now-familiar lack of Ryder Cup readiness.
But Thomas says the chaos went beyond team decisions — and straight into the turf itself.
NEW: Bethpage staffer blasts Justin Thomas: “ZERO conversation… this is at the fault of Keegan”
The Americans had asked for faster greens. What they got were surfaces so sluggish they played straight into European hands.
Speaking on the No Laying Up podcast, Thomas detailed the surreal confrontation that left Team USA stunned.
“I don’t know why they [the greens] weren’t at all what Keegan had asked for,” said Thomas.
“I mean, he had been pretty clear of asking for a certain speed and wanting it fast enough. I watched them argue with us that they were 13s [on the Stimpmeter].
“It’s like, ‘guys, we play golf every week, like, look on TV at how many guys are leaving putts short. Nobody is getting… you can’t have a putt, roll, three feet, four feet past the hole. Like these greens are slow, speed them up.’
“It was just bizarre because that’s not something you would expect at a home Ryder Cup.
“A fun advantage you generally have [as a home Ryder Cup team] is being able to do that a little bit, and it was just so frustrating that we were being fought with and argued with on the speed of the greens that we asked for. So that was bizarre.”
Thomas took two points from four at the Ryder Cup
In other words, while Europe were polishing their plan, Team USA were debating green speeds with the grounds crew. At a home Ryder Cup. And the most telling part? When the greens finally sped up, the Americans suddenly roared to life.
Trailing 4.5–11.5 heading into Sunday, the US produced a blistering singles session, briefly threatening one of the greatest comebacks in Ryder Cup history. Thomas even took care of Europe’s top performer in Tommy Fleetwood with a gutsy 1up victory on the 18th.
But it was to little avail as Shane Lowry’s clutch tie against Russell Henley on the 18th stopped the miracle, and Europe went on to win 15-13.
Defeated US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley
Excuses? Possibly. But Thomas’ comments line up with the numbers: the US played dramatically better once the greens matched what they’d been asking for from day one.
They won Sunday’s singles 8.5-3.5 after all.
However, the bigger storyline refuses to go away as once again, Team USA’s prep was miles behind Europe’s.
One US insider has since staggeringly revealed the Americans barely played the course during the build-up, while Europe logged countless laps around Bethpage Black.
If Bradley’s side had been doing the same, they might have realised before Friday morning that the green speeds weren’t even close to their specs. Instead, they waited until the Ryder Cup had already begun — and by then, the damage was done.
Thomas’ revelations only underline the same old narrative: Europe arrived ready, organised, and united. The United States arrived late, disjointed, and — in Thomas’ own words — arguing about slow greens at their own home venue.
Watch Thomas’ comments in full below:
What do you make of JT’s comments?
Can you quite believe how bad the preparation and planning was on Team USA?
Does it explain why Europe are enjoying a better recent record at the Ryder Cup?
Share your comments below – it’s free to sign up for a GolfMagic account…