Justin Thomas makes surprising Ryder Cup comments: "There is something to be said..."

PGA Tour star Justin Thomas has admitted there may be evidence to suggest the Europeans care more about the Ryder Cup.

The two-time major champion, 32, was part of Keegan Bradley's dozen that were defeated at Bethpage Black in September. 

Europe enjoyed a dream two days in New York, racing into a seven-point lead ahead of the Sunday singles. 

Despite a stirring fightback - led by Thomas and Cameron Young at the top of the order - the U.S. were defeated 15-13. 

Thomas reflected on his latest appearance for the stars and stripes in an interview with the Trey Wingo podcast. 

He told the pod he believes there are a number of reasons why the United States have struggled in the biennial clash in recent times. 

Since 2008, the United States have only won the Ryder Cup on two occasions. Both victories (Hazeltine, Whistling Straits) were on home soil. 

"I've lost sleep over this," Thomas told the podcast. "You know, [I've had] nights of just like, what can we do?"

Thomas suggested that the PGA of America, who run the event in the United States, may have too much on their hands compared to their European counterparts. 

"They're running a lot of other events and they have a lot of other things going on," he said. "And we also have the Presidents Cup."

Thomas said he enjoys taking part in the Presidents Cup but it may be hindering the United States team.

"Look I enjoy the Presidents Cup," said Thomas. "I mean, it's fun, but I do think it is a huge disadvantage that the Americans have to do this every year.

"And like you said, the Euros get to stew on this for two years and they get so jacked up for this thing. 

"I do think it's a sort of a it's an unlevel playing surface when it comes to that. 

"You know, I'd never thought of that or heard that until after until after Bethpage."

He added: "And I completely... I don't think that is why we have been unsuccessful and why we haven't done well in the Ryder Cup at all. 

"[But] I think that there is something to be said, though, you know, people that say it means more to the Europeans."

Thomas stressed that every member of the U.S. locker room cares. 

"I think guys would be shocked of how how upset and emotional everybody gets," he said. 

Wingo pointed to Shane Lowry's reaction to holing the putt that retained the Ryder Cup as evidence that European golfers care more. 

"I loved what Shane Lowry said after he sank the putt to secure the tie and they went on to actually win the Ryder Cup," he said. 

"He said it in that, you know, that crazy Irish accent,  'I had a chance to do the coolest thing in the world', you know, and he said it. 

"And I just don't know how many of how many of the PGA Tour players would say winning the Ryder Cup would mean more to them than winning the U.S. Open or winning the Open Championship.

"And Shane said it out loud. It might have been a somewhat prisoner of the moment thing. 

"But, you know, the way they gear up for this thing, I don't know how many of the American players would say, would you give up two Wanamaker trophies or the putt for a Wanamaker trophy to win the Ryder Cup?"

Thomas re-called an interview he gave in 2015 when he said he would've preferred to win an away Ryder Cup over winning a major that year. 

"Everyone [was] blown away," he said. 

He added: "I truly feel like if we were to go to Ireland and get this done in two years, whoever is the one that's making that putt would have the same emotion and say the same thing that Shane said, because it does like it means so much"

The 2027 matches will be played at Adare Manor. 

"Hopefully we're able to come back in a couple of years and and we can talk about whoever was in the U.S. [player] that made it and said the same thing," Thomas said. 

"I buy into what Shane said. I mean, it would be the coolest thing ever because it's it's so much bigger than just you."