Following the U.S. team`s recent defeat to Europe at the 45th Ryder Cup held at Bethpage Black, a comprehensive analysis is needed to understand the shortcomings and plan for future success. Despite a valiant comeback in Sunday`s singles matches, the U.S. ultimately succumbed to a 15-13 loss, marking their eleventh defeat in the last fifteen Ryder Cup encounters.
With much of the European core—including Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Jon Rahm—expected to return for the next Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027, the Americans face another daunting challenge, this time on foreign soil. Luke Donald, now only the second European captain to secure back-to-back Ryder Cup victories, has yet to confirm a potential third consecutive captaincy.
U.S. team captain Keegan Bradley praised Donald`s leadership: “I think he transformed this European Team into a truly formidable force, especially during the first two days. In my opinion, he`s the best European Ryder Cup captain ever. I was eager to compete against him, but I knew it would be incredibly difficult to win. He positioned his team perfectly for victory, achieving this remarkable feat in two different venues.”
Who Could Be the Next Captain?
Mark Schlabach: The question isn`t just about who will be the next captain, but also what support the PGA of America and the broader American professional golf community will provide. Bradley acknowledged mistakes as a rookie Ryder Cup captain, particularly concerning the course setup at Bethpage Black, in his post-loss press conference.
Donald benefited from a superior support structure, including the analytical prowess of vice-captain Edoardo Molinari and the continued dedication of former captains Thomas Bjørn and Paul McGinley, all committed to sustaining European dominance.
Tiger Woods is considered the frontrunner to captain the U.S. team at Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027, which coincides with the Ryder Cup`s 100th anniversary. Woods shares a friendship with Adare Manor owner J.P. McManus. While it remains uncertain if the 15-time major champion desires the role, if he accepts, even Woods should commit to a two-year dedication to the position.
The U.S. team cannot afford a repeat of previous delays, where the PGA of America waited months for Woods` decision. When Woods declined due to his busy schedule, the Americans appointed Bradley, who had no prior Ryder Cup vice-captain experience and was unaware of his consideration until 2023 captain Zach Johnson offered him the position.
Should Woods opt out, Brandt Snedeker (captain for the 2026 Presidents Cup), Webb Simpson, and Justin Leonard are potential candidates. Fred Couples, a five-time Ryder Cupper, has never captained the team but is popular among players like Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, and deeply invested in the event.
Hopefully, the Americans will introspect deeply on what has gone wrong over the past three decades. It might be time for another Ryder Cup Task Force, as the Europeans are not just winning every two years, but outmaneuvering them consistently, 365 days a year.
Paolo Uggetti: During the U.S. news conference on Sunday, a moment highlighted the team`s camaraderie. When Bradley was asked if Donald had “out-captained” him, Justin Thomas interjected sarcastically from the dais: “We needed to make more putts. That`s what Keegan needed. He needed us to make more putts. That`s what he needed to do.”
As the team answered questions, observing the celebrating Europeans, the sting of defeat was palpable. This makes me wonder if giving Bradley another chance, with one captaincy under his belt, could be beneficial. Despite some questionable decisions (he admitted his course setup strategy was flawed), players respected and felt connected to him as a peer. Thomas`s quick defense and similar sentiments from others underscored this bond.
Scottie Scheffler affirmed, “I had extreme confidence in what this team could do, and that`s due to our captain. I think they did an amazing job. Keegan did an amazing job.”
While the entire roster isn`t guaranteed for the next event (apart from mainstays like Scheffler or Xander Schauffele), they might be galvanized by the prospect of avenging this loss with a road victory, especially with Bradley at the helm. However, practically, this might not be the best course of action. The bitter taste of losing a home Ryder Cup might be too much for PGA of America leadership. Bradley, at 39 and ranked 14th globally, is still active in his playing career and likely aims to qualify for Adare Manor as a player. Perhaps this was his sole chance as captain, but the European team has emphasized the increasing importance of continuity in this event. The Americans might also benefit from such an approach.
What Can the U.S. Learn from Europe?
Paolo Uggetti: Everything and nothing. The European team`s ability to foster purpose, camaraderie, and unity is undeniably effective, yet uniquely theirs. Beyond Captain Donald`s exceptional leadership and their current continuity, they possess a distinct knack for drawing inspiration from past players and channeling a collective desire to win for each other—a quality the American team has yet to fully cultivate.
Tangibly, there`s much to observe in how Donald and his team meticulously focus on details that accumulate throughout the week and how thorough their overall planning is. Intangibly, however, the Americans must discover their own intrinsic source of inspiration beyond the mere ambition to win.
What Does Scheffler Need to Do to Turn Around His Ryder Cup Play?
Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler lost to Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood in Saturday four-balls.
Paolo Uggetti: Keep playing in them.
The four-time major winner stated in Napa that he learned from the 2023 loss, recognizing the need for better preparation this time, specifically by avoiding a prolonged break between competitions. Yet, I wonder if this recent defeat, particularly with Scheffler`s 0-4 record in team matches, will prompt him to prepare differently for Adare Manor.
It`s noteworthy that players like Scheffler and Woods, who dominate individual competitions, sometimes struggle in team formats. Foursomes (alternate-shot), fourballs (best ball), and match play demand a distinct set of skills. While Scheffler remained one of the U.S. team`s top statistical players, his performance highlights that the Ryder Cup often transcends mere numbers and requires more than just 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 serves as a crucial reminder: this is only his third Ryder Cup, and he is not yet 30.
Mark Schlabach: In the past three Ryder Cups, Scheffler`s partners in foursomes and fourball matches have included Bryson DeChambeau, Sam Burns, Brooks Koepka, Russell Henley, and J.J. Spaun. None of these pairings have consistently yielded success.
Scheffler currently holds a 0-4-0 record in foursomes and 1-2-2 in fourball matches—statistics that are clearly not ideal.
While Woods (13-21-3) and Mickelson (18-22-7) also had mixed Ryder Cup records, it`s premature to declare that Scheffler won`t master the format, especially given his status as the world`s best golfer and his deep commitment to the event.
Predicting the top American golfers in two years is challenging, but the U.S. team might consider emulating Europe`s strategy. McIlroy was paired with Fleetwood, and Rahm with Tyrrell Hatton. The Europeans consistently fielded arguably their four best golfers together, almost guaranteeing two points in those sessions.
What Can We Expect from the Next Two Ryder Cup Venues?
Paolo Uggetti: Adare Manor appears to be as “American” a golf course setup as one can find in Ireland. It is not a links course, but rather a parkland-style resort course featuring water hazards and thick rough. The Americans will not have the advantage of setting up the course (an advantage they squandered at Bethpage), and Rome`s outcome clearly showed that the Europeans will exploit every possible advantage from the golf course as they pursue a coveted three-peat. Two years is a significant period, but it`s very difficult to foresee a scenario where the United States enters 2027 as the favored team in any capacity.
Mark Schlabach: Regardless of who captains the U.S. team in two years, I am not optimistic about the Americans` chances at Adare Manor. The Americans have not won on European soil since a 15-13 victory at The Belfry in England in 1993, accumulating seven consecutive losses away from home.
The U.S. team likely has a much better chance at the 2029 Ryder Cup, to be held at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. That was the site where the Americans broke a three-match losing streak to the Europeans with a 17-11 victory in 2016.
Ironically, that win followed the PGA of America`s formation of a Ryder Cup Task Force, established to address a period where the Europeans had won eight out of ten matches. Woods was a member 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.
Hopefully, golf fans at Hazeltine will extend some “Minnesota nice” to the visitors. The behavior at Bethpage Black simply cannot be repeated. Turning the Ryder Cup into a rowdy fraternity party was an embarrassment. While a home-course advantage is understood, it doesn`t necessitate a “WM Phoenix Open on steroids.” And don`t argue that the PGA of America can`t control unruly fans, because Augusta National Golf Club manages it every year. Try shouting obscenities at a golfer during the Masters and observe the consequences.
Which U.S. Players Cemented Their Spot as Part of the Future?
Cameron Young was one of the standouts for the U.S., going 3-1-0.
Mark Schlabach: The U.S. doesn`t need to panic and overhaul its roster, but only a handful of golfers appear guaranteed a spot on the 2027 team, provided they remain healthy and perform well.
Scheffler, Schauffele, Thomas, and DeChambeau form the core of the team. If Collin Morikawa regains his form and Patrick Cantlay continues his strong play, it would be difficult for the U.S. captain to overlook their Ryder Cup experience. Cameron Young, with a 3-1-0 record at Bethpage Black, was arguably the team MVP, suggesting he will be a fixture for some time.
Beyond these players, the roster will largely depend on who performs best in majors and signature events over the next two seasons. Can Spieth return to elite form after wrist surgery? Will J.J. Spaun and Ben Griffin maintain their winning streaks on tour? Can young talents like Sahith Theegala, Akshay Bhatia, Maverick McNealy, and Luke Clanton elevate their careers?
Max Homa, the top American golfer in the 16.5-11.5 loss in Italy in 2023, experienced a significant drop in form and confidence. Former U.S. Open winner Wyndham Clark also saw a decline. Former Open Championship winner Brian Harman, a match-play stalwart, might be a more suitable fit for Adare Manor.
What “Young Blood” Could Be in Line for a Spot in 2027?
Jackson Koivun finished T-4 at the Procore Championship as an amateur.
Paolo Uggetti: Regarding the roster, I believe all options are on the table. The only absolute locks for the 2027 team seem to be Scheffler, Schauffele, Young, and DeChambeau. This leaves eight spots open, making a handful of promising young players intriguing prospects.
Two names that immediately come to mind are Jackson Koivun and Luke Clanton. Koivun, the world`s top amateur, has already secured his PGA Tour card despite not yet turning professional, boasting three top-10 finishes in just seven Tour starts, all within his last three events. Clanton turned professional this year and has four top-10 finishes dating back to last season. While he didn`t have a standout finish this year, his flashes of potential make him an interesting option.
Regardless of whether these specific players make the cut, Young`s success at Bethpage last week serves as a reminder that experience should not always be the primary factor in a captain`s pick or a player`s role on a given team.
Rupert Hollis 
Jasper Carew