But that passion wasn\u2019t enough to stop Luke Donald<\/a>\u2019s Europe from storming to a dramatic 15\u201313 victory two weeks ago in New York.<\/p>\n It marked Europe’s second straight win under the calm Englishman, who becomes the first captain since Tony Jacklin to win two cups on the bounce.\u00a0<\/p>\n Now, Molinari has lifted the lid on two massive mistakes that left the Europeans rubbing their hands in disbelief.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Molinari stunned by Bradley\u2019s bizarre pairings<\/p>\n Speaking on the Fried Egg Golf<\/a> podcast, Donald\u2019s vice-captain didn\u2019t hold back when asked about Bradley\u2019s tactics.<\/p>\n After seeing Collin Morikawa and Harris English hammered 5&4 by Rory McIlroy<\/a> and Tommy Fleetwood<\/a> in Friday\u2019s opening foursomes, most captains would have split them up.\u00a0<\/p>\n But incredibly, Bradley<\/a> sent them back out on Saturday morning \u2014 only for them to lose again to the same star European duo 3&2.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI was very surprised,\u201d Molinari admitted. \u201cThe first day, okay, you want to play everyone, fine. But after getting beaten like that? No chance we\u2019d have done the same. We\u2019d have switched the format or the partners. Something had to change.\u201d<\/p>\n It was a brutal verdict \u2014 and it summed up the difference between the two sides.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Europe were flexible, data-driven, and clinical. Team USA, under Bradley, looked stubborn and reactive.<\/p>\n What made the double foursomes pairing of Morikawa and English even more peculiar was the fact Data Golf ranked them as the 132nd out of 132 best foursomes pairings based on PGA Tour statistics this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n Bradley sent Morikawa out with English twice<\/p>\n The Bethpage blunder that played right into Europe\u2019s hands<\/p>\n If Bradley\u2019s pairings were questionable, the course setup was disastrous.<\/p>\n Bethpage Black \u2014 America\u2019s gritty, unforgiving beast \u2014 was supposed to give the hosts a huge edge.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Instead, Bradley\u2019s tweaks turned it into a birdie-fest that suited Europe perfectly.<\/p>\n Related:<\/p>\n Gone was the punishing rough. The greens? Soft and receptive. It was a dream scenario for the Europeans, who couldn\u2019t believe what they were seeing.<\/p>\n \u201cThe course setup definitely surprised me \u2014 in a good way,\u201d Molinari laughed. \u201cWe were hoping for less rough and more birdies because we felt we made more of them than they did. It was perfect for us.\u201d<\/p>\n And who benefited most?\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n McIlroy, of course.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf Rory could design a course, it would be long, soft, not much rough \u2014 exactly what we got,\u201d Molinari added.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBy Monday, they\u2019d cut the rough even more. We couldn\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n Bradley with his vice-captains<\/p>\n Bradley’s own vice-captain Jim Furyk has since claimed the greens were not up to the speed they asked course staff at Bethpage.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n![\"Bradley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-09-27t115620z_1554185015_up1el9r0x5vo6_rtrmadp_3_golf-rydercup-1.JPG\")
<\/p>\n![\"Bradley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-09-27t222008z_910701987_up1el9r1q1i53_rtrmadp_3_golf-rydercup-1.JPG\")
<\/p>\n