USA in the Ryder Cup: What went wrong and what’s next? Analysis and perspectives

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

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – After another defeat for the American team against Europe in the 45th edition of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, it’s time to analyze the causes of this setback and the steps to follow. The Americans’ effort in Sunday’s singles, though promising, failed to mask the deficiencies that led to a 15-13 defeat, the eleventh in the last 15 encounters. With the expectation that much of the European team, including Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Jon Rahm, among others, will repeat in the next Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, Ireland, in 2027, the Americans will face an even greater challenge, this time on foreign soil. Luke Donald, the European captain who achieved the feat of winning two consecutive Ryder Cups, has not confirmed whether he will seek to lead the team for a third 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 of all time,” commented U.S. captain Keegan Bradley.

Keegan Bradley

Who could be the next captain of the US team? The key question is not just who will be the next captain, but how the PGA of America and professional American golf in general will support that person. Bradley, as a rookie captain, made mistakes, admitted by himself, especially in the preparation of the Bethpage Black course. Donald had better organization, from the statistics expert and vice-captain Edoardo Molinari to former captains Thomas Bjørn and Paul McGinley, who remain committed to 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 has a good relationship with the owner of Adare Manor, J.P. McManus. Although it remains to be seen if the 15-time major champion will accept the position, it is expected that, if he does, he will commit for two years. If Woods declines, Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson, and Justin Leonard could be considered. Fred Couples, with five Ryder Cup appearances, has yet to be captain, but is popular among players like Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, and shows great interest in the event. It is crucial that Americans reflect on what has failed in the last three decades. It might be time to establish another Ryder Cup Task Force, given that the Europeans not only outperform them every two years, but also consistently dominate. According to Paolo Uggetti, there was a moment at the US team’s press conference when Bradley was asked if he felt Donald had “outplayed” him in strategy. Thomas interrupted to defend Bradley, highlighting the need to improve putts. The defeat was painful, and Uggetti wonders if Bradley, with experience, could be a good option to lead the team again.

“I had extreme confidence in what this team could do, and that’s because of our captain,” said Scottie Scheffler.

Scottie Scheffler

Although continuity could be beneficial, the PGA of America might hesitate to keep Bradley. However, the team could find motivation in seeking revenge on European soil, especially with Bradley in charge. Uggetti suggests that Americans need to learn from Europe in terms of creating a purpose, camaraderie, and unity. Europeans are inspired by their predecessors and channel a collective desire to win, something that Americans have not yet fully achieved. In practical terms, it is important for Americans to focus on the details, as Europeans do, and to find their own source of inspiration beyond the simple desire to win.Scottie Scheffler Analysis:Four-time major winner Scottie Scheffler reflected on the 2023 defeat, emphasizing the need for better preparation. His performance at the Ryder Cup, with a 0-4 record in team matches, could motivate him to prepare differently for Adare Manor. Scheffler, although dominant in individual competitions, still needs to adapt to team events, where a different mindset is required. Scheffler, visibly affected by the defeat, called it one of the “lowest moments” of his career, despite it being his third Ryder Cup and not yet being 30 years old. In the last three Ryder Cups, Scheffler has played with Bryson DeChambeau, Sam Burns, Brooks Koepka, Russell Henley and J.J. Spaun, without success. His record in foursomes and fourball is 0-4-0 and 1-2-2, respectively. It is crucial to remember that the Ryder Cup often transcends numbers and demands something more than distance control. Americans could consider copying the European strategy, which aligns their best players together, almost ensuring points.Ryder Cup Upcoming Events Outlook:Adare Manor, with a design similar to American courses, might not favor the Americans, who will not have the advantage of preparing the course. The Europeans will seek to capitalize on this situation to secure their third consecutive triumph. The 2029 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, could offer a better opportunity for the Americans, where they won in 2016. Success at Hazeltine came after the creation of a Ryder Cup Task Force. A similar approach may be needed to address current issues.Which American Players Secured Their Future?

Although a total restructuring of the team is not expected, Scheffler, Schauffele, Thomas, and DeChambeau seem to have a guaranteed place on the 2027 team. Morikawa and Cantlay, if they maintain their good performance, could also be considered. Cameron Young, with his outstanding performance at Bethpage Black, is emerging as a key player.

The rest of the team will depend on the results in the majors and important events of the next two years. Spieth’s recovery, the performance of Spaun and Griffin, and the rise of young talents like Theegala, Bhatia, McNealy and Clanton will be determining factors. Homa and Clark, after a drop in their performance, and Harman, could be options for Adare Manor.Young Talents in the Spotlight for 2027:Uggetti suggests that the 2027 team could have surprises in its lineup. In addition to the players already mentioned, Jackson Koivun and Luke Clanton could be interesting options. Koivun, the best amateur in the world, already has his PGA Tour card and has performed remarkably. Clanton, with promising potential, could also be considered. Young’s success at Bethpage highlights that experience is not always the deciding factor for team selection.