Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee says one of Keegan Bradley’s biggest problems now as Ryder Cup captain is finding the right partner for Bryson DeChambeau.
DeChambeau will make his return to the biennial dust-up with Europe later this month at Bethpage Black on the outskirts of New York.
The 2024 U.S. Open champion did not have to rely on a captain’s pick from Bradley, qualifying for the team on merit from only eight starts – an achievement that baffled Bradley.
It will mark DeChambeau’s first appearance in the Ryder Cup since helping Team USA dismantle Europe at Whistling Straits four years ago.
Bryson DeChambeau
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Chamblee, who is no stranger to criticising the LIV Golf recruit, pointed out that the first session is absolutely crucial.
Bradley has already confirmed the order of play.
“If you go back to 1979 when it became continental Europe vs the United States, when you look at the first session and the very first match of that session, the winner of the first match of the first session has predicted the winner of the Ryder Cup 68 percent of the time,” he said.
“That is how important that session is, one in terms of getting the momentum going but it also says who is going to lead with their strength and pick the best team to go out there and that team gets replicated over and over and over again.”
Bryson DeChambeau Ryder Cup record
Year
Format
Partner
Opponents
Result
2018
Foursomes
Phil Mickelson
Sergio García / Alex Norén
Lost 5&4
2018
Foursomes
Tiger Woods
Francesco Molinari / Tommy Fleetwood
Lost 5&4
2018
Singles
–
Alex Norén
Lost 1up
2021
Fourballs
Scottie Scheffler
Jon Rahm / Tyrrell Hatton
Halved
2021
Fourballs
Scottie Scheffler
Tommy Fleetwood / Viktor Hovland
Won 3&1
2021
Singles
–
Sergio García
Won 3&2
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Some of Bradley’s pairings appear to be set in stone.
It doesn’t seem unreasonable to suggest Xander Schauffele will team up with Patrick Cantlay, whilst Scottie Scheffler seems certain to link up with Russell Henley after the duo shone at the 2024 Presidents Cup.
Our Andy Roberts has already taken a look at the rest of the potential pairings.
Chamblee told Golf Channel he believes Bradley has ‘an embarrassment of riches’.
“The six players he picked, their combined world rank 15.5, is better than the six players that qualified for the European side,” he said.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
“To me it’s how do you pair Bryson DeChambeau? He is an unbelievable golfer but he has been notoriously difficult to pair with.”
Bryson DeChambeau
DeChambeau partnered Phil Mickelson in the foursomes at Le Golf National in 2014 and they lost 5&4 to Sergio Garcia and Alex Noren.
In the same format, DeChambeau and Tiger Woods were destroyed 5&4 by Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari.
In Wisconsin, DeChambeau and Scheffler tied their match against Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe to our Newsletter
