Following a recent defeat to the European squad at the 45th Ryder Cup held at Bethpage Black, the U.S. team faces a critical juncture. This analysis probes the missteps and outlines the essential next steps for American golf. The Americans` spirited comeback during Sunday singles matches couldn`t entirely mask the underlying issues of their 15-13 loss, marking their eleventh defeat in the last fifteen contests.
With a strong European contingent, including stars like Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Jon Rahm, expected to return for the next Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027, the American team is bracing for another formidable challenge, this time on foreign soil. Luke Donald, who has made history as only the second European captain to secure back-to-back Ryder Cup victories, remained noncommittal about leading the team for a third consecutive term.
“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,” commented U.S. team captain Keegan Bradley. “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.”
Who Could Be the Next Captain?
Tiger Woods is currently considered the leading candidate to captain the U.S. team for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Ireland, which will celebrate the event`s 100th anniversary. Woods shares a friendship with Adare Manor owner J.P. McManus. While it`s uncertain if the 15-time major champion desires the role, if he does accept, even a legendary figure like Woods should commit to a two-year tenure for the position.
The U.S. team must avoid a repeat of previous indecisions, such as when the PGA of America waited months for Woods` decision, only for him to decline due to scheduling conflicts. This led to the selection of Bradley, who had no prior Ryder Cup vice-captain experience and was reportedly unaware of his consideration until 2023 captain Zach Johnson offered him the position.
Should Woods opt out, other potential candidates include Brandt Snedeker (U.S. captain for the 2026 Presidents Cup), Webb Simpson, and Justin Leonard. Fred Couples, a five-time Ryder Cup player, has never captained the team but is highly regarded by players like Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, and is deeply passionate about the event.
Ideally, the American golf establishment will commit to a thorough review of the shortcomings over the last three decades. It might be time to reactivate a Ryder Cup Task Force, as the Europeans aren`t just winning every two years; they`re consistently outmaneuvering the U.S. year-round.
“We needed to make more putts. That`s what Keegan needed,” Thomas stated sarcastically, stepping to Bradley`s defense. “He needed us to make more putts. That`s what he needed to do.”
As the team fielded questions, observing the European celebrations, the palpable sting of defeat was evident. This leads me to ponder whether, given his initial captaincy experience, there might be merit in giving Bradley another chance. Despite some questionable decisions (including his admission that the course setup strategy was flawed), I believe the players respected and felt a genuine connection with him as a peer. Thomas`s swift defense, along with others` support during the press conference, offered a glimpse into this bond.
“I had extreme confidence in what this team could do, and that`s due to our captain,” Scottie Scheffler affirmed. “I think they did an amazing job. Keegan did an amazing job.”
While the entire current roster isn`t guaranteed for the next event (aside from key players like Scheffler and Xander Schauffele), a desire to avenge this loss with a road victory, especially under Bradley`s continued leadership, could be a powerful motivator.
However, from a practical standpoint, this might not be the optimal choice. The bitter taste of losing a home Ryder Cup could be too much for PGA of America leadership. Bradley, at 39 and ranked 14th globally, is still actively pursuing his playing career and is likely to aim for a spot on the 2027 team at Adare Manor. This may have been his only opportunity as captain, but the European team`s success underscores the growing importance of continuity in this event. Perhaps the Americans could benefit from a similar approach.
What Can the U.S. Learn from Europe?
Tangibly, there`s much to observe in how Donald and his team meticulously focus on countless details that accumulate over time and throughout the week, showcasing a thoroughly planned strategy. Intangibly, however, the Americans must forge their own deep wellspring of inspiration, one that extends beyond a simple aspiration to win.
What Does Scheffler Need to Do to Turn Around His Ryder Cup Play?
The four-time major winner previously indicated that his 2023 loss taught him the need for better preparation, specifically avoiding long breaks between tournaments. Yet, I ponder if this recent defeat, particularly Scheffler`s 0-4 record in team matches (including his loss with Bryson DeChambeau to Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood in Saturday four-balls), will prompt him to adopt a different preparation strategy for Adare Manor.
There`s a significant distinction between individual dominance, as seen with players like Scheffler and Woods, and struggles in team formats. Foursomes (alternate-shot), fourballs (best ball), and match play demand a unique set of skills. While Scheffler remained one of the top U.S. players statistically, this event often transcends mere numbers, requiring more than just impeccable distance control.
“I think it`s hard to put into words how much it hurts to lose all four matches,” Scheffler said Sunday after securing his first point of the week by defeating Rory McIlroy in singles. “To have the trust of my captains and teammates to go out there and play all four matches and lose all four, it`s really hard to put into words how much that stings and hurts.”
Scheffler described this week as one of the “lowest moments” of his career. This is a crucial reminder: he is not yet 30, and this was only his third Ryder Cup appearance.
Scheffler`s record stands at 0-4-0 in foursomes and 1-2-2 in fourball matches, which is far from ideal. While Ryder Cup legends like Woods (13-21-3) and Mickelson (18-22-7) also faced difficulties in this format, it`s premature to assume Scheffler won`t improve, especially given his status as the world`s best golfer and his intense dedication.
Predicting the top American golfers in two years is challenging, but the U.S. team should seriously consider adopting Europe`s strategy. The Europeans consistently pair their strongest players, such as McIlroy with Fleetwood, and Rahm with Tyrrell Hatton, nearly guaranteeing points in those sessions.
What Can We Expect from the Next Two Ryder Cup Venues?
The U.S. team will likely have a more favorable opportunity at the 2029 Ryder Cup hosted at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. That was the site where Americans broke a three-match losing streak against Europe with a decisive 17-11 victory in 2016.
Interestingly, that win followed the PGA of America`s formation of a Ryder Cup Task Force, which was tasked with examining the issues plaguing the U.S. team after Europeans had won eight of ten previous matches. Tiger Woods was part of that task force, alongside Davis Love III, Raymond Floyd, Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson, and others. As I suggested earlier, it might be time to revisit that strategy.
One hopes that golf fans at Hazeltine will extend a “Minnesota nice” welcome to the visitors. The behavior observed at Bethpage Black must not be repeated. Transforming the Ryder Cup into a boisterous fraternity party was an embarrassment. While a home-course advantage is understood, it shouldn`t devolve into the WM Phoenix Open on steroids. And it`s disingenuous to argue that the PGA of America cannot control rowdy fans, as Augusta National Golf Club demonstrates control every year. Just try shouting obscenities at a golfer during the Masters and observe the consequences.
Which U.S. Players Have Cemented Their Spot for the Future?
Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, and Bryson DeChambeau form the core of the team. If Collin Morikawa regains his form and Patrick Cantlay continues his strong play, their Ryder Cup experience would be difficult for any U.S. captain to overlook. Cameron Young, who achieved an impressive 3-1-0 record at Bethpage Black and was arguably the team`s MVP, appears to be a long-term fixture.
Beyond this core, the remaining spots will be highly contested, influenced by who performs best in major championships and signature events over the next two seasons. Can Jordan Spieth return to elite status after wrist surgery? Will J.J. Spaun and Ben Griffin maintain their winning streaks on tour? Can emerging talents like Sahith Theegala, Akshay Bhatia, Maverick McNealy, and Luke Clanton elevate their careers to the next level?
Max Homa, who was the top American performer in the 16.5-11.5 loss in Italy in 2023, has since experienced a dip in form and confidence. Former U.S. Open winner Wyndham Clark also saw a decline. Former Open Championship winner Brian Harman, a formidable match-play specialist, might be particularly well-suited for Adare Manor.
What “Young Blood” Could Be in Line for a Spot in 2027?
Two names that immediately come to mind are Jackson Koivun and Luke Clanton. Koivun is the world`s top amateur and, despite not yet turning professional, has already secured his PGA Tour card and boasts three top-10 finishes in just seven Tour starts, all occurring in his most recent three events. Clanton turned pro this year and recorded four top-10 finishes last season. While he hasn`t had a standout finish this year, his flashes of potential make him another compelling option.
Regardless of whether these specific players make the cut, Cameron Young`s success at Bethpage last week serves as a powerful reminder that experience should not always be the primary determinant for a captain`s pick or a player`s role within a team.
