1993 was the last time Team USA won on European soil. Yes, let that sink in. Since then, the US has lost seven consecutive times on Europe’s turf. Let that sink in as well. This has done nothing but give the European team confidence that they can take away the trophy on US soil in 2025 as well. Ryder Cup vice captain Edoardo Molinari is certainly feeling optimistic, saying, “There’s a lot of guys that have been playing well recently – even some of the non-superstars we had in Rome.” He added, “Hopefully we can keep that momentum going until September.” And that pressure is exactly why the American players are sweating.
Speaking on the latest episode of 5 Clubs on YouTube, host Gary Williams pointed out that the pressure is mounting on the US team ahead of the Ryder Cup. Keegan Bradley’s decision-making process for the team will be crucial, especially when it comes to determining who can handle the intense pressure of competing against Europe. “The external pressure that the United States team is going to feel to answer to what Europe did to them the last time around in Rome… It’s going to be really, really tantamount,” Williams noted. Well, the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Italy saw Team Europe dominate, ending a 30-year drought of American wins on European soil with a final score of 16.5 to 11.5.
Williams also highlighted a concerning precedent for the US team ahead of the Ryder Cup, referencing the infamous partnership between Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. Williams pointed out that their experiment in 2004 at Oakland Hills didn’t quite work out, describing it as a “blowout” and recalling the moment Mickelson hit a foul ball while Woods gave a quizzical look, wondering if it was going out of bounds – and it was. “That was the Phil-Tiger experiment that went just a foul.”
Well, the reason why the 2004 Ryder Cup pairing of Mickelson and Woods was a disaster is that Mickelson believes the short notice of just two days was a major issue. This forced him to “crash-course learn a whole different golf ball” instead of focusing on his game. Mickelson later reflected, “Had we known a month in advance, we might have been able to make it work.”
Well, something similar had also happened at the last Ryder Cup, where Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka’s disastrous round saw them thrashed 9 and 7 by Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg. The American duo’s struggles were evident as they combined for 7 over par, with Scheffler starting with a double-bogey-double to fall 3 down early. Hovland attributed their success to their chemistry, saying, “It’s nice to kind of speak our own language and we understand each other.”
So, while it’s true that the US hasn’t won in Europe for over three decades and the stakes are high, the US team is ready to figure out how they can handle the heat and perform under pressure. But is it going to be easy? No, not at all. With experienced players like Rory McIlroy, who just achieved his grand slam, leading the charge, Europe will be looking to continue its winning streak. As Williams highlighted, “They’re not bringing guys with modest experience, they’re bringing guys with a lot of experience. One, at beating United States and two, winning golf tournaments in this country.”
The 152nd Open Championship 2024 Phil Mickelson USA on the 8th green during Round 3 of The 152nd Open Championship 2024 Royal Troon Golf Club, Troon, Ayrshire, Scotland. 20/07/2024. Picture Thos Caffrey / Golffile.ie All photo usage must carry mandatory copyright credit Golffile Thos Caffrey Troon Royal Troon Golf Club Ayrshire Scotland Copyright: xThosxCaffreyx
Well, McIlroy isn’t the only golfer who is playing well. Justin Rose, who finished runner-up for the 2024 Masters, is also a top player to look out for, and of course, how can we forget Tommy Fleetwood? So yes, with these players in line, the US team will need to navigate the pressure and find a way to work together seamlessly. Is Keegan Bradley aware of the pressure that he has, especially being the captain?
Keegan Bradley fuels Ryder Cup frenzy
US captain Keegan Bradley’s passionate speech after the Presidents Cup has stirred up the Ryder Cup rivalry, with his bold declaration: “We’re gonna go to Bethpage to kick their f–ing a–!” Bradley later clarified that he thought he was in the locker room and didn’t intend for his words to air publicly. He admitted being “a little surprised” the clip went viral, stating, “I certainly thought I was in the locker room. But, you know, in the world that we live in I got to be more aware that there’s always somebody filming.” Bradley added that the excitement of winning the Presidents Cup, which he hadn’t played in 10 years, contributed to his exuberant speech, saying, “I meant no disrespect, but we were excited.”
Bradley downplayed concerns about motivating the European team, emphasizing their existing drive. “I don’t think the Europeans need any more motivation to win the Ryder Cup,” he said. “They’re a special group of players and the Ryder Cup means a lot to them.” Bradley noted that during Ryder Cup year, the Europeans “really seem to come together and play their best golf,” suggesting they’re already primed for competition. With this perspective, Bradley’s comments reflect both his confidence in his team and his awareness of the high stakes in the Ryder Cup. So, which team do you think will take home the trophy at Bethpage? Let us know in the comment section below!
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