Ryder Cup: Analysis of the USA Defeat, Future, and Captain Candidates

Deep Analysis of the American Defeat in the Ryder Cup and Future Perspectives

Following another defeat for the American team against Europe in the 45th edition of the Ryder Cup, held at Bethpage Black, it’s time to analyze the causes of this result and what measures are necessary for the future of American golf. Despite the effort shown by the American team in Sunday’s singles matches, which made the final score of 15-13 look better, this was their eleventh defeat in the last fifteen encounters. With a large part of the European team, including figures like Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Jon Rahm, expected to return for the next Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, Ireland, in 2027, the Americans will face an even greater challenge, this time on European soil. The European captain, Luke Donald, who became the second European captain to win the Ryder Cup consecutively, has not confirmed his intention to lead the team for a third consecutive time.

“I think he turned this European team into an unstoppable force, especially in the first two days, and, in my opinion, I think he’s the best European Ryder Cup captain in history,” said U.S. captain Keegan Bradley.

Keegan Bradley

Who will be the next captain of the US team?

The main question is not so much who will be the next captain, but how the PGA of America and American professional golf in general will provide the necessary support for the designated captain. Bradley, in his debut as captain, acknowledged mistakes, especially in the preparation of the Bethpage Black course. Donald relied on a superior organization, from statistics expert and vice-captain Edoardo Molinari to former captains Thomas Bjørn and Paul McGinley, who remain committed to ensuring European dominance. Tiger Woods is the favorite to captain the American team at Adare Manor in 2027, coinciding with the centenary of the Ryder Cup. Woods maintains a close relationship with the owner of Adare Manor, J.P. McManus. It remains to be seen if the 15-time major champion will accept the position, but if he does, he is expected to take on a two-year commitment. In the event that Woods declines, Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson, and Justin Leonard could be options. Fred Couples, with five Ryder Cup appearances, has never been captain, but is popular among players like Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, and shows great interest in the event. The American team is expected to conduct a deep self-assessment of what has failed in the last three decades. It might be time to establish another Ryder Cup Task Force, as the Europeans not only beat them every two years, but consistently outperform them. During Sunday’s press conference, Bradley was asked if he ever felt that Donald had surpassed him as captain. Thomas interjected, sarcastically defending Bradley: “We needed to make more putts. That’s what Keegan needed. He needed us to make more putts.” The defeat left a clear sense of frustration, leading to consideration of whether Bradley should have another chance. “I had extreme confidence in what this team could do, and that’s because of our captain,” Scottie Scheffler said. “I think they did an incredible job. Keegan did an incredible job.” Although continuity in the team is not guaranteed, the possibility of seeking victory on European soil could galvanize the team, especially with Bradley in charge. However, the PGA of America might not be willing to tolerate another home defeat. Bradley, 39, and ranked 14th in the world, is still active in his playing career and could try to qualify for the event at Adare Manor. Continuity, as the European team has shown, is crucial in this event, and perhaps the Americans could benefit from it.

What Can the United States Learn from Europe?

Americans can learn a lot from Europeans in terms of creating a sense of purpose, camaraderie, and unity, although this is difficult to replicate. Beyond Donald, who has proven to be a very effective captain, and the continuity of the European team, they also have the ability to draw inspiration from past players and motivate each other to win. In practical terms, Americans should pay attention to the details that Donald and his team focus on, which add up over time and throughout the week, as well as the meticulousness of their overall plan. In an intangible sense, Americans must find their own source of inspiration, beyond the simple desire to win.

What does Scheffler need to improve his performance in the Ryder Cup?

Maintaining consistency in the game. Scheffler, after the 2023 defeat, expressed the need to prepare better, avoiding long periods of rest between competitions. The defeat, with a record of 0-4 in team matches, could motivate Scheffler to prepare differently for Adare Manor. Foursomes (alternate shot), fourballs (best ball) and match play require a different mentality. Despite being one of the best players on the American team, this event demands something more than distance control.

“I think it’s difficult to put into words how much it hurts to lose all four matches,” Scheffler stated on Sunday after defeating Rory McIlroy in singles, earning his first point of the week. “To have the confidence of my captains and teammates to go out and play all four matches and lose them all, it’s really difficult to put into words how much it hurts and bothers me.”

Scottie Scheffler

Scheffler described this week as one of the “lowest moments” of his career, demonstrating that this is only his third Ryder Cup and he is not yet 30 years old. In the last three Ryder Cups, Scheffler’s partners in foursomes and fourball have been Bryson DeChambeau, Sam Burns, Brooks Koepka, Russell Henley and J.J. Spaun, without success. Scheffler has a record of 0-4-0 in foursomes and 1-2-2 in fourball. Woods and Mickelson also did not perform well in the Ryder Cup, but it is premature to state that Scheffler will not succeed, as he is the best golfer in the world and shows great dedication. It’s complicated to predict who will be the best American golfers in two years, but Americans could consider adopting the European strategy. McIlroy played with Fleetwood, Rahm with Tyrrell Hatton. The Europeans lined up their four best golfers together, securing almost two points in the sessions in which they played.

What can we expect from the next Ryder Cup venues?

Adare Manor presents a design similar to American courses in Ireland, with a parkland style, with water hazards and rough. The Americans will not have the advantage of setting up the course, and the Europeans will seek to take advantage of every advantage to achieve their third consecutive triumph. It is difficult to imagine the United States being the favorite in 2027. The chances of success for the American team could be greater at the 2029 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, where the Americans ended a streak of three defeats to the Europeans with a victory in 2016. Ironically, that victory came after the PGA of America formed a task force to analyze what was failing in a period in which the Europeans had won eight of ten encounters. Fans at Hazeltine are expected to show respectful behavior. What happened at Bethpage Black cannot be repeated. Turning the Ryder Cup into an uncontrolled party was shameful. While there is a home advantage, this does not imply that it should be similar to the WM Phoenix Open. The PGA of America can control the fans, as the Augusta National Golf Club does every year.

Which American players solidified their place for the future?

There’s no need for the United States to panic and dismantle its team, but only a few players seem to have a guaranteed spot on the 2027 team, as long as they are healthy and playing well. Scheffler, Schauffele, Thomas, and DeChambeau are the core of the team. If Collin Morikawa regains his form and Patrick Cantlay continues to play well, it would be difficult for the American captain to ignore their Ryder Cup experience. Cameron Young, with a 3-1-0 record at Bethpage Black, was arguably the team’s most valuable player, so it seems he will be around for a while. From there, the situation will be open, depending on who wins the majors and important events in the next two seasons. Will Spieth be able to be one of the best in the world again after his wrist surgery? Will J.J. Spaun and Ben Griffin continue to get tour victories? Will young golfers like Sahith Theegala, Akshay Bhatia, Maverick McNealy, Luke Clanton and others be able to take the next step in their careers? Max Homa was the best American golfer in the 16.5-11.5 defeat in Italy in 2023, but he lost his swing and confidence. Wyndham Clark, US Open winner, also had a decline. Brian Harman, former Open Championship winner, is an expert in match play and could adapt better to Adare Manor.

What “young blood” could be considered for a position in 2027?

The team composition is very open. The only players who seem certain for the 2027 team are Scheffler, Schauffele, Young, and DeChambeau. This leaves eight spots available, which could make some promising young players interesting options. Jackson Koivun and Clanton are two names that stand out. Koivun is the best amateur in the world and, although he hasn’t turned professional yet, he has already secured his PGA Tour card and has achieved three top-10 finishes in seven appearances, all in his three most recent events. Clanton, who turned professional this year, has achieved four top-10 finishes since last season. Although he hasn’t had a standout result this year, he has demonstrated potential that makes him an interesting option. Young’s success at Bethpage is a reminder that experience should not always be the main factor in choosing a captain or in a player’s role on a team.