The Ryder Cup is quickly approaching, and jabs are being thrown between Team Europe and Team U.S. in the build-up to the highly anticipated event.
Much was made of Keegan Bradley’s selections for the Ryder Cup. He most notably elected not to pick himself as playing captain, and will bring a host of rookies to Bethpage Black as America looks to reclaim the Cup from Europe.
Bradley selected hometown hero Cameron Young, who was 14th in the rankings and only recently won his first PGA Tour event. Out-of-form Collin Morikawa was also a controversial selection.
However, instead of commenting on the players Bradley selected for Team U.S., European veteran Justin Rose explained why he thinks America’s entire philosophy of team-building in preparation for the competition is flawed.
Justin Rose thinks Team U.S. have tried too hard in team-building efforts
There is a sense of togetherness and camaraderie exuding from the Americans ahead of the Ryder Cup. Bradley put significant effort into bringing the unit closer together after their decisive loss to Europe in Rome two years ago.
He went as far as to leave a note in some of his potential selections’ lockers ahead of The Open Championship, which Bryson DeChambeau revealed. Team U.S. go into Bethpage Black determined and together.
But Rose thinks their entire approach of team-building is flawed. He said that the key to a great team isn’t friendship, and it’s something that is cultivated over generations.
Speaking at the Rose Ladies Open, he explained, “I think the U.S. team have definitely bonded a lot more in recent years. I think they have pockets of good friendships. I think the Americans think being a great team is about being best mates, and I really don’t think that’s what being a great team is.
“Being a great team is having a real good theme and having an identity that has come from players before you, and you all buy into that vision. You don’t have to be having the greatest time in the world to do that. Although, inevitably, we do have a great time doing that.
“I think America have tried too hard to become a team, whereas Europe is a bit more natural and organic. I think it comes from deeper roots in a way.”
The 45-year-old Englishman is making his seventh Ryder Cup appearance in New York. He qualified for the team automatically after Rose won the St. Jude Championship.
He knows what makes for Ryder Cup success and failure, and his experience will be crucial at an event he has waited a decade to compete in.
Team Europe’s Ryder Cup experience could provide the edge in New York
While America is set to bring four rookies into a raucous Bethpage Black environment, Luke Donald selected a nearly unchanged side from the one that won in Rome in 2023. The only change was Rasmus Hojgaard, who qualified automatically and took the place of his twin brother, Nicolai.
Even the newcomer to the team was present in Rome to see his brother take a record-breaking Ryder Cup win against Scottie Scheffler. He’s no stranger to the environment and to the team.
That plays exactly to Rose’s point. It is impossible to replicate the togetherness and experience of this European outfit. They know which pairings work best, whose game is suited to which situation, and they know how to process the high-pressure environment.
Rory McIlroy called the Ryder Cup golf’s greatest event, and is determined to beat America on their turf. While he is going up against a toxic road crowd, knowing what to expect from the team around him allows Europe some comfort in the environment.
America needed to enter a new era after an embarrassing loss last time out. Their fresh faces are not scared by events two years ago. But while much has been made of the New York environment working against Europe, it could equally work against the Americans.
Donald explained that the home crowd could turn on Team U.S. if things don’t go their way in Bethpage. How would Team U.S.’ friendships hold up then?