Keegan Bradley sticks to the plan. Just as Paul Azinger did in 2008 at Valhalla. In the same way he grouped his men at the Procore Championship two weeks ago, he has arranged them again on the first practice day of the Ryder Cup. The official start was given today at eight in the morning local time, six more in mainland Spain. The United States took to play Bethpage with the following groups:
– Bryson Dechambeau, Ben Griffin, Justin Thomas and Cameron Young
– Harris English, Scottie Scheffler, Russell Henley and J.J. Spaun
– Sam Burns, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa
It should be noted that the structure of these practice rounds does not have to be definitive, although they provide clues, help with speculation from journalists and fans, and, of course, may reveal some kind of test by the captain. Keegan Bradley has already made it very clear that the first session of foursomes is very important. In Italy 2023, Europe won 4-0, while in Whistling Straits 2021, the USA took the lead by 3 to 1. However, from that first session four years ago, half of the players are missing: Koepka, Berger, Spieth, and Dustin Johnson, while from the first in Italy, three are missing: Homa, Harman, and Fowler.
The only significant variation from what happened in the Napa Valley is the separation of the Morikawa and Harris English pair. Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay also played together in California, both with more experience in the United States, but this split is less significant if we assume that Cantlay and Schauffele will play together again, a duo that has brought much success to the stars and stripes.
So, what conclusions can be drawn:
– Scheffler and Henley are very likely, if not certain, to play together in the Friday morning foursome, possibly even opening the Ryder Cup. A Scheffler-Spaun pair cannot be completely ruled out, although it seems more feasible for the fourball.
– Cantlay and Schauffele are back together and are expected to play together again at Bethpage, at least on Friday in the foursome. Their foursome record is two wins and two losses, not outstanding, but better than average.
– Justin Thomas should be a fixture in this foursome opening. First for his experience, second for his Ryder Cup numbers (8 points won out of 13 contested), and third for his special and loud connection with the public. It remains to be seen who his partner will be. The truth is that Ben Griffin is a strong candidate, although don’t rule out Bradley taking a gamble on pairing him with DeChambeau. It would be an ace up the sleeve. However, their relationship hasn’t been the best since Bryson’s move to LIV Golf. Thomas has been one of the most outspoken against the Saudi circuit.
– As for the fourth pair, it could be a DeChambeau-Young, although it seems more like a fourball or a Morikawa-Sam Burns. It may seem strange at first, but they already played a fourball together in Italy. However, they lost decisively against Aberg and Hovland (4&3). It wouldn’t be crazy to see Spaun and Harris English together in a foursome. There’s an interesting fact: English didn’t play the foursome in his first and only Ryder at Whistling Straits. He has never played the Presidents, and the only two foursomes he played in the 2011 Walker Cup he lost. Both alongside Peter Uihlein.
