Bryson DeChambeau’s unique brand of golf is an invaluable weapon for Keegan Bradley’s Team USA at the Ryder Cup, but it could also rule him out of one of the events in New York.
He is in the argument for being the second-best American player in the sport. Still, Bryson DeChambeau is a worry for Team USA going into the highly anticipated 2025 Ryder Cup in New York.
Unable to play the Procore Championship with the rest of the American team due to his commitment to the LIV Golf Tour, questions were raised about DeChambeau’s preparation leading up to the competition.
His playing style has also caused golf writer Rex Hoggard to suggest that YouTube star, DeChambeau, could miss an entire event at the Ryder Cup. Keegan Bradley has some big decisions to make.
Rex Hoggard says Bryson DeChambeau creates a ‘hurdle’ for Keegan Bradley
DeChambeau is famed for being one of the hardest-hitting golfers in the game. He had recorded a series of 400+ yard drives in his career, leading to a need for specialised technology to keep up with his sheer power.
He has a unique set of clubs in his bag with long shafts on his shorter irons, and DeChambeau is introducing a new golf ball to allow him to control his spin on his approach shots.
DeChambeau already uses a unique ball in comparison to the rest of his colleagues in professional golf, and that’s something that Hoggard expects to cause issues at the Ryder Cup.
Speaking on the Golf Channel, he said, “We shouldn’t expect to see him in alternate shot. That golf ball he uses probably isn’t a golf ball that any of the 11 members of Team USA are going to have any interest in.
“In his defence, I could probably say the same thing about Ben Griffin. He plays a golf ball that no one else really plays on the PGA Tour. That’s a hurdle the captain probably doesn’t want to get past. That’s going to relegate him somewhat to fourball.”
Alternate shot at the Ryder Cup sees teams of two take turns using the same ball. Due to the uniqueness of DeChambeau’s technology, none of his American teammates are likely to feel comfortable hitting his ball. That could rule him out of the event altogether.
That would leave him playing only the singles and fourball events, and Hoggard suggested an intriguing pairing for DeChambeau for fourball.
Rex Hoggard says Bryson DeChambeau should be paired with Cameron Young
Fourball sees teams of two playing their own ball, which is an entirely different prospect for DeChambeau. In this event, he becomes an intriguing weapon for Bradley to deploy.
He could be paired with a consistent and accurate player, such as Justin Thomas, allowing him to let loose with his driver, knowing that his teammate will get the ball in play and achieve a solid score.
Alternatively, DeChambeau could be teamed with another hard-hitter, doubling the chance of a long drive hitting the fairway and setting up birdie and eagle opportunities. That’s the route Hoggard suggests Bradley takes with DeChambeau, pairing him with a hometown hero.
He explained, “I think a really good option that came up last week was him and Cameron Young. They both hit it about the same distance, and that’s going to lead to some familiarity between the two players.
“Also, imagine what that would do for the crowd. We know Bryson DeChambeau is going to be one of the crowd favourites at Bethpage Black. And certainly Cameron Young, the native son, going back to a place where he won before, a place he basically grew up. That could be a very compelling pairing.”
Young has been focused on the Ryder Cup, played at his home state course, for many years. He won his first PGA Tour event in the months leading up to the competition, and he undoubtedly produced his best golf on the back end of the 2025 season.
Young gave Bradley every reason to pick him for Team USA. The hometown hero is a unique weapon, with an ability to hype up the raucous New York crowd at a moment’s notice. Pairing him with the ever-popular DeChambeau would make for an electric duo at Bethpage.