Keegan Bradley recently reflected on the United States’ defeat at the 2025 Ryder Cup.

The USA were the favorites to win the event, as many believed their home advantage at Bethpage Black would be significant.

Those narratives were quickly erased during the first session on Friday morning, when Europe assumed a 3-1 advantage.

The visiting team then won the following three sessions and held a huge, 11.5-4.5 lead heading into the final day.

While the USA showed great character in the singles, they ultimately lost 15-13, and captain Bradley has taken the lion’s share of the blame.

Bradley’s recent comments show he is still hurting from Bethpage Black, unless you are cynical enough to believe he is faking it.

Ryan Lavner thinks Keegan Bradley’s pain is genuine

Bradley is a proud American and showed immense passion in the build-up to and during the 2025 Ryder Cup.

He feels guilty about the United States’ performance, particularly on the first two days, and claimed he will not get over it.

Some think this was an intentional act to “garner sympathy” from American golf fans, so they are not so critical of him in the future.

Journalist Ryan Lavner is convinced that Bradley’s comments on the Ryder Cup were authentic and dismissed other suggestions.

“I’m with you. It certainly hurts right now for Keegan Bradley. I do certainly think this is genuine,” Lavner explained on the Golf Channel Podcast.

“This is not some sort of attempt at image building or trying to garner sympathy so fans are kinder to him when he returns to the PGA Tour in 2026. I do not think that is the case at all.

Ryan Lavner feels sorry for Keegan Bradley

Lavner then discussed the difference in the reaction that European captain Luke Donald has received in recent weeks.

Donald has been heralded as an all-time great Ryder Cup captain, whereas Bradley has been eviscerated for his decisions.

Lavner recognizes that Donald deserves more credit, as the winning captain, but it’s unfair to criticize Bradley in equal measure.

Not only was he not responsible for some American players’ struggles, but he would have played if not for the PGA of America’s decision to make Bradley captain.

Lavner continued: “To me, it just underscores what the modern Ryder Cup is, where if you win, you are feted like a king. Look at Luke Donald; he can do no wrong.

“They might run him back in 2027, and he would certainly be a prohibitive favorite. He’s being talked about with Tony Jacklin as one of the greatest Ryder Cup captains ever.

“If you lose, particularly at home, then you did some moronic things; you made some mistakes; you don’t deserve another chance; you should be nowhere near another Ryder Cup.

“I don’t necessarily believe that is the case. I certainly think Keegan deserves some sort of empathy or sympathy because he didn’t ask for this. He was a backup captain who had no experience.

“Any other US captain probably puts him on that team, and now he’s going to be 41 years old when the next Ryder Cup is played at Adare Manor in 2027. It’s hard not to feel for him.”