Keegan Bradley calls for Ryder Cup rule change after dramatic defeat at Bethpage

Keegan Bradley called for the rules to be changed in the immediate aftermath of the United States' Ryder Cup defeat on a dramatic final day at Bethpage Black in New York.

Bradley's men trailed 11½ - 4½ ahead of the singles and it looked as though Luke Donald's Europe would be heading back home comfortable winners. 

But then the red, white and blue came roaring back on Sunday, led by dramatic victories in three of the opening four matches. 

Cameron Young got the first point on the board for the USA with an astonishing 1UP victory over Justin Rose. 

Justin Thomas also grabbed victory on the 18th hole of his match with Tommy Fleetwood. 

Bryson DeChambeau fought back from being five down to secure half a point against Matthew Fitzpatrick before the top-ranked Scottie Scheffler avoided losing all five matches when he defeated Masters champion Rory McIlroy on the final hole.

Ludvig Aberg grabbed the first point for Europe before Shane Lowry ultimately delivered a crucial half on the final hole in his match against Russell Henley to take Europe to 14 points. 

Tyrrell Hatton ultimately added the cherry on the cake for Europe, sharing a point with Collin Morikawa to get Europe to 14½ points. 

With Viktor Hovland unable to play because of a neck injury, the final score was 15 - 13 after Robert MacIntyre tied his match on the final hole against Sam Burns.

Because of that injury to Hovland, it meant a rarely used rule forced America's Harris English to sit out the singles. Both team shared the point. 

A glum Bradley told reporters late on Saturday evening he wants the rule changed. 

He said he had "a few ideas" for an alternative solution but he wasn't prepared to share them.

But he added: "I mean, the rule has to change. I think it's obvious to everybody in the sports world, in this room. Nothing against Viktor. But that rule needs to change by the next Ryder Cup.

English also expressed frustration. For his part, captain Donald reminded his counterpart in his news conference a short while later that the Americans have used the rule in the past. 

Keegan Bradley takes full responsibility for Ryder Cup defeat

The inquest has already begun. How has this United States team that looked so dominant when they won at Whistling Straits four years ago fallen to two consecutive defeats. 

Bradley took full responsibility for the defeat, though. He also believes Donald is the best European captain ever. 

"He's an incredible leader," Bradley said. "He's really quiet, and I think he was able to kind of come out of his shell, I guess, a little in these Ryder Cup years.

"I think he turned this European team into a really unstoppable force, especially the first two days, and you know, in my eyes, I think he's the best European Ryder Cup captain ever. 

"I was really excited to go up against him, but I knew it was going to be tough to beat him.

"He put his team in the best position to win, and to do that at these two places is a remarkable feat."

He added: "I think in a lot of ways when you're an away captain there's a lot less decisions. When you're the home captain, you have to set the course. I wish I could have some of those decisions back. 

"I definitely feel I made a few mistakes there, but it's tough to tell that it's going to rain before the Ryder Cup. It's tough to tell sort of the way the course is going to be when we're here. 

"We didn't want the greens to be like this soft. They were perfect. And the grounds crew did an incredible job.

"I've got to take responsibility for this outcome for sure."