Bryson DeChambeau delivers verdict on Keegan Bradley's Ryder Cup captaincy

Bryson DeChambeau says Keegan Bradley was a great Ryder Cup captain despite overseeing what many believed was a disastrous campaign as the United States' skipper.

Bradley was named as the surprise choice to succeed Zach Johnson after Tiger Woods turned down the role and watched his dozen succumb to a 15-13 home defeat to Luke Donald's Europe. 

His appointment made him the youngest captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963 and some of his decisions at Bethpage Black have come under intense scrutiny. 

For his part, the 39-year-old accepted he made some wrong calls, particularly with the course set-up and some of his pairings. 

A crestfallen Bradley, who recently won The Skins Game, previously said he would "never get over" the USA's Ryder Cup defeat in Bethpage Black. 

But DeChambeau, who made his third Ryder Cup appearance last September and went 1-3-1 for the week, believes Bradley did himself proud. 

"Keegan did a great job as the captain, in my opinion," DeChambeau told Fox News.  

"You always look back and say, 'Oh, you could have done this, could have done that,' but, dude, this guy gave his heart and soul, and that's what I respect so much about what he did. 

"Because again, it's not him that ultimately wins or loses the Ryder Cup, it's us players. He gets the brunt of it, fairly or unfairly so, it's part of how it lays out. But I had a great time."

DeChambeau partnered Justin Thomas and Ben Griffin in his first two matches at Bethpage and lost both. 

He teamed up with Cameron Young to inflict a heavy foursomes defeat on Matthew Fitzpatrick and Ludvig Aberg before he tasted another defeat alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler in the four-balls against Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose. 

The match against the English duo became heated, with Rose clashing with DeChambeau and his caddie Greg Bodine on the 15th hole. Europe's Francesco Molinari, known for his calm demeanour, also bickered with Scheffler's looper Ted Scott. 

DeChambeau told Fox he'll continue to fight to represent the United States in the future. 

He qualified for the 2025 Ryder Cup team by virtue of his US Open win at Pinehurst and impressive performances in the other major championships. 

"You never know when it could be your last one, right?" he said. "So you got to appreciate and respect it. 

"And I think albeit, you know, us losing and it being at Bethpage, it was a really tough one to lose, I still have great respect for being a part of the competition, and I think that's what I'll remember most is that I was a part of the competition."

DeChambeau responds to Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy recently questioned LIV Golf's future given a number of their star players' contracts are up for renewal. 

As far as McIlroy is concerned, he doesn't believe LIV's financiers will invest another $5bn just to stay where they are in the landscape in men's professional golf. 

McIlroy did concede that unification between the established tours and LIV would ultimately be for the betterment of the game. 

DeChambeau, unsurprisingly, agrees with the Ulsterman. 

"Man, I wish something major would happen," he said of a potential deal. "But I don't think it's going to in the immediate future. I think there are too many wants on both sides and not enough gives on the other.

"We're just too far apart on a lot of things. It's going to take some time, but ultimately, I do think the game of golf will grow internationally. 

"Scarcity will become more prevalent, which I think is good for players' health and longevity. Honestly, for the professional sport, scarcity is very important.

"I think the R&A recognises that, and I do think the PGA Tour recognises that. It's moving more toward that model. I won't speak for anybody, but I think there will be improvements for the game as time goes on. 

"It's positive disruption, and it'll take time to let the water settle and make a perfect scenario where we all come back together. 

"Ultimately, I think it'll be good for the game over time."