By Craig Swan

Copyright dailyrecord

Calamity Keegan Bradley dropped a brutal Opening Ceremony howler as lethal Luke Donald twisted the knife with a savage double cash taunt. The American captain had a nightmare during the opening lines of his key speech when he mistook US legend Justin Leonard for Justin Rose. Bradley was making the first remarks of his crucial talk at The Ryder Cup event when he blundered leaving the crowds perplexed and giggling. He said: “The Ryder Cup became personal for me in 1999 at Brookline. I was 13 years old, perched on my dad’s shoulders watching Justin Rose’ miracle putt drop on 17. When the crowd erupted on 18, my dad let me join in on the celebration. That was the moment golf stopped being a game and started being a calling. That day changed my life.” Bradley, of course, was supposed to be referring to Justin Leonard and not the Englishman who was sitting to his left on the podium. Instantly, the boob was noted by fans as European players such as Shane Lowry glanced in the direction of their team-mate and with smiles cracked. It was not the start he would have wanted as memories of Nick Faldo’s woeful and self-indulgent speech of 2008 before his team were trounced at Valhalla springing to mind. Back then, Faldo called Danish rookie Soren Hansen by the name of Soren Stenson, called the Louisville venue Val-der-halla and even asked Graeme McDowell if he was from Ireland or Northern Ireland. Donald, on the other hand, had gone before Bradley and was foot perfect once again as he set the tone for his team whilst also twice appearing to savagely dig out the hosts over the cash payments they will receive for playing in the event. He said: “We are fuelled by something money cannot buy. Purpose, brotherhood and a responsibility to honour those who came before us, while inspiring those whose time is yet to come. “The Ryder Cup means so much to each and every one of us. It is unlike anything else in our sport. “It is not about prize money or world ranking points. It’s about pride. It’s about representing your flag, your shirts and the legacy you leave behind.” Having spoken in Italian for the opening sentences of his speech in Rome two years ago, he spoke of resilience and togetherness in an inspiring effort. Donald also said: “Two years ago, we wrote a chapter in Rome. This week in New York, we aim to write history. “We didn’t come here just to be a part of the show. We came here to earn our place in Ryder Cup folklore. We’re not just playing to win, we’re playing for each other and for every young golfer back home who dreams about one day representing Team Europe. “We know it won’t be easy; winning away never is. Only four European teams have done it before. But that’s the beauty of sport. The toughest roads lead to the greatest rewards. “We know what awaits us. Bethpage isn’t exactly shy. This is New York sports country, passionate, loyal, and ferociously loud, and rightly so. “You the fans here respect effort over ego. You show up for those who grind, for those who fight, and for those who rise to the big occasions. And you make us earn every cheer. “We may not be your team, but we will give you something to respect, something to admire, and maybe by the end of this week, something to cheer for.” In 2008 during then captain Nick Faldo’s rambling and inappropriate speech at Valhalla, the Englishman referred to Denmark’s Soren Hansen as Soren Stenson.