
Inside 100 days til Ryder Cup tee off as Keegan Bradley warns Europe his stars will whip up New York
American skipper says his boys won't shy away from cranking up the cauldron
Passionate Keegan Bradley admits his stars will hype up the New York fever and get home fans pumped at The Ryder Cup.
With yesterday marking 100 days to tee-off, the United States captain doesn't hide from the fact his team's supporters can offer a huge advantage to the side at Bethpage in September .
Luke Donald's European side are prepared for the fevered frenzy they will face against a New York audience known to get boisterous in backing their own side with ex-captain Paul McGinley already stating it will be the toughest test ever faced by an away side in the event when the Rory McIlroy -led visitors get to the clash.
The American skipper is already feeling the backing as the gets chants of 'USA, USA' fired at him while playing in tournaments. Bradley says his side will ride the Ryder Cup waves and explained: 'It's pretty amazing. The support that I've been getting throughout this year is something that I didn't really expect. Everywhere I go, I'm getting USA chants, people are cheering me on. It's been something that I hadn't really expected, to be honest. It's taken me by surprise, and it's just a treat to go out there and play every day as the Ryder Cup captain.
'I don't think we're going to need to do much to that [Bethpage] crowd to get them excited. I think playing at home there's a lot of advantages. The crowd is going to expect us to do good things. That's also going to be some pressure,and New York fans will let you know if you're not doing what they hope you're doing. So there's some stuff there.
'There's certain guys on our team that that's what they do. They get into the crowd. They hype the crowd up. 'Then there's other guys that just go about their business. I just want them to be who they are. They don't have to be anybody that they're not, but we certainly have some guys that are going to feed off that crowd and get them excited.'
JJ Spaun's win at last weekend's US Open looks to have booked his ticket into the team and Bradley said: 'I am so thrilled for him to have won that tournament. He's played so great this year. I think going to a course like Bethpage Black, the people are really going to be behind a guy like JJ Spaun. His story is incredible. He's a hard working guy that's just building and building and building his whole career. To win the US Open at Oakmont, in my eyes, is the pinnacle of major golf. It's as tough as you can get.
'I think he's a guy that people at Bethpage will really resonate with and a guy that on our team is the heartbeat. He's now the US Open champion. That's a heavy burden to bear, but that's also a great thing to have on your team. I'm really proud to have him on this team because it's really difficult to make your first team. To go out there the way he did this year and play in these big events this well is a testament to what a player he is.'
Bradley is juggling playing work with captaincy and enjoys the distractions as he said: 'It's been certainly a challenge, but it hasn't affected any of my preparation, any of my practice. Certainly when I'm practicing, I'm thinking about the Ryder Cup a lot. It's difficult for me to separate completely and be a player. Now, when I'm inside the ropes playing, that's really the only time in my life when I'm inside the ropes Thursday through Sunday where I can detach and be a player. But as soon as I walk outside of those ropes, or walk outside of the scoring trailer, I have to assume that role again.
'You know what, on a normal day, I went out and played, I'd be thinking about a shot that I hit or a shot I've got to hit tomorrow or the new club that I'm worried about. For the most part, I go and I'm thinking only about the Ryder Cup. I'm ooking at the points list. I'm looking at potential pairings. I'm talking to the scouts. I'm talking to the vice captains. We're talking about strategy, bus ride schedules, media schedules. It is a very nice distraction for me when I'm normally 24/7 thinking about golf. So there is some aspects to this that have helped, I believe. Definitely with 100 days, the last things are ramping up here a ton.'

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