It is funny how fine the margins are when it comes to the Ryder Cup, with Luke Donald being mentioned as potentially the greatest European captain of all-time after just about getting his team across the line at Bethpage Black.
Luke Donald led Europe to Ryder Cup glory on Sunday at Bethpage. However, the matches were a lot closer than they had any right to be, with Team USA staging an incredible fightback in the singles.
Ludvig Aberg was the only European to win among the final 11 matches. The visitors ultimately needed the likes of Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton to tie their games to ensure that they kept the trophy for another two years.
Nevertheless, the plaudits are coming Donald’s way, with the Englishman overseeing the first away win in the event since 2012.
Kevin Kisner reacts to the detail Luke Donald went into to prepare Europe for the Ryder Cup
Donald spoke to the media afterwards of the detail that goes into preparing the team for the Ryder Cup. He mentioned that they replaced the bedding in the hotel they were staying in, while the shampoo was also changed.
Had Europe lost and those alterations made their way into the public sphere, it is likely that Donald and his backroom team would have been ridiculed.
To those on the outside however, those small touches help explain part of the reason why Europe have such a better record, particularly in the last three decades.
But someone who would take exception with that notion is one of Keegan Bradley‘s vice-captains, Kevin Kisner.
Kisner responded to a post on social media listing some of Donald’s details, and insisted that the American team took similar steps.
The biggest mistake the PGA of America could make after Bethpage
Of course, it is not the best look from Kisner. However, you can understand why he is protective of the team, particularly with Donald receiving so many plaudits right now.
Bradley made some truly baffling decisions throughout the week.
Pairing Collin Morikawa and Harris English twice in the foursomes appeared to be a real error. Meanwhile, the call to have Russell Henley tee off the first on Friday morning rather than Scottie Scheffler left many scratching their heads. It was no surprise when they switched things up on Saturday.
Bradley also admitted he got the course setup wrong.
No one should overlook the amount of work Bradley and his team put in. But Europe blew them away over the first two days. They were able to win one match on Sunday and still win the Ryder Cup.
So the most dangerous thing the PGA of America could do is pat themselves on the back for the fight they showed on Sunday.
Otherwise, more Ryder Cup disappointment looms.
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