Most of the U.S. Ryder Cup team is gearing up to tee it up next month at the Procore Championship in Napa, California. Why? Simple — competitive reps.
Captain Keegan Bradley is making it clear he wants his guys fresh, focused, and tested heading into the battle at Bethpage Black. It’s a smart move. You don’t want the rust showing up when you’re lining up against Europe’s best. That leaves one question.
Where Does That Leave Bryson DeChambeau?
Bryson DeChambeau, who’s played his way into a likely automatic qualifying spot for Team USA, would love to join the crew in Napa. There’s just one little problem: he’s suspended by the PGA Tour because of his LIV Golf affiliation. That means no Procore, no PGA Tour events, and no easy runway to sharpen up alongside his future teammates.
Keegan was blunt: “Well, he’s suspended. And that’s out of my control.”
And yet, Bradley doesn’t sound bitter. In fact, he’s doing his best to steer clear of the PGA Tour vs. LIV battlefield, saying, “I thought the Ryder Cup sort of transcends all of this.”
His focus is on winning. And DeChambeau — despite only playing in the majors — has earned his way into the conversation. The guy’s been clutch: won the U.S. Open last year, runner-up at the PGA, final group at Augusta, and a T-10 at the Open. That’s with just eight events under his belt in the qualification cycle.
How Does That Impact Team USA For the Ryder Cup?
So what now? Bryson’s not sitting around sulking. His agent says he’ll attend every team function he’s allowed to. He might even try to get an invite to the DP World Tour’s Irish Open the week before Napa. But realistically, the Procore is off-limits unless the PGA Tour has a major change of heart — which, let’s be honest, is about as likely as LIV and the Tour hugging it out on the 18th green.
Meanwhile, other Ryder Cuppers are already planning their Napa tune-up. Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, confirmed he’s in, noting the importance of staying sharp. “I think that was maybe a bit too much time off for us,” Scheffler said, reflecting on the U.S. team’s sluggish showing in Rome last year.
There’s a fine line between rest and rust, and the U.S. wants to stay competitive in that four-week Ryder Cup window. Bradley’s plan? Let the guys prep the way they want — but he’s nudging them to get tournament reps.
