Former United States Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger says he was left “mortified” after listening to Kevin Kisner’s “awful” story from the 2025 contest at Bethpage Black.
Despite a ferocious final day fightback from Keegan Bradley’s Team USA, Europe held on for a memorable 15-13 victory in New York, with Luke Donald’s side becoming the first to win in hostile territory since their miracle comeback at Medinah in 2012.
In the months following the defeat, Bradley endured a prolonged inquest, with his pairings and course set-up coming under intense scrutiny.
But multiple PGA Tour winner Kisner, 42 – who was one of Bradley’s vice-captains – set tongues wagging further when he shared an anecdote on the Fore Play podcast in March that appeared to indicate a distinct lack of preparation.
“I’m on the first or second group on [Friday] morning and we get to six at Bethpage,” he said
“We’re playing Tommy and Rory. Six is the little short hole down the hill, you can’t see your drive.
“You have to hit the ball pretty far left off the tee and Tommy stands up there and laces this ball obviously going in the rough as soon as he hits it.
“As soon as he touches it, Rory goes, ‘Great shot!’ I’m like, ‘Isn’t that in the right rough?’
“We go down over the hill and I’m standing at the top of the hill watching and Rory’s got 80 yards from the right rough to the front pin and he lands it to a foot and it doesn’t move and we lose the hole.
“I got on the radio and went, ‘Boys, I think we’re f—ed. These guys are perfectly hitting it in the rough on these short holes to take the spin off.'”
Azinger, who led Team USA to a resounding victory at Valhalla in 2008, told Golfweek this week he was unhappy seeing the clip.
“I watched it and I was mortified,” Azinger said.
“You had weeks to be ready and you were out-prepared. That can’t happen ever again on our home soil.
“Seeing that video irritated me to no end. I didn’t think it was funny. I thought it was awful.”
Jim Furyk has been selected to take over the reins from the aforementioned Bradley and will go toe-to-toe with Donald at Adare Manor in County Limerick next September.
Furyk was given the top job after Tiger Woods ruled himself out of the position.
His appointment was also criticized as he previously captained Team USA in their resounding defeat at Le Golf National, Paris, in 2018.
But Azinger believes he was the correct choice.
He said: “Who else could we have put as captain? Why would you scar Justin Leonard or Stewart Cink?
“You have to put someone who has been there, done that, because we’re not supposed to win there.
“If Furyk loses, he’s a two-time loser. He’s going up against a buttoned-up three-time captain, they have the confidence, we have the jet lag.
“That is a no-win situation with everything to gain. To me, the upside is worth it.
“If he pulls it off, then 20 years of his life dedicated to the Ryder Cup finally comes to fruition.
“I want to be involved in some capacity in making that a reality; I just don’t want the spotlight.”
Azinger also confirmed that he has held brief talks with the PGA of America over a new role to help the U.S. head into Ryder Cups more prepared.
He has touted the idea of having a hiring Ryder Cup director to oversee the big picture stuff, allowing the captain to focus on preparing players.
Article originally appeared on: Golfmagic.com