One of the big decisions Keegan Bradley will be weighing up ahead of the Ryder Cup is who exactly he should pair Bryson DeChambeau with at Bethpage given that the LIV Golf star could be such a game-changer for the American side.
Bryson DeChambeau looks set to make his return to the Ryder Cup stage in September. The Crushers captain was not involved in Rome in 2023 as USA fell to a humbling defeat.
But Keegan Bradley has no intention to leave him out. Bradley confirmed that DeChambeau will be an important part of his team during The Open Championship this past week. DeChambeau may well qualify for the team automatically as he currently sits fifth in the standings.
The two-time US Open champion has experienced both sides of the Ryder Cup. He lost all three matches he played at Le Golf National in 2018, while he played his part in USA’s record win at Whistling Straits three years later.
It certainly shows the importance of putting DeChambeau with the right player. The problem is that he is so unique that it is not a simple task, particularly when it comes to foursomes.
The good news for Bradley is that there may be an obvious candidate.
The player Keegan Bradley should pair Bryson DeChambeau with at the Ryder Cup
One of the biggest shocks during the 2023 Ryder Cup was how poorly Scottie Scheffler played. The world number one did not win a single match in the four sessions he played in Rome, while he was beaten 9&7 alongside Brooks Koepka in one of the most shocking Ryder Cup moments of all-time.
Scheffler initially started alongside Sam Burns in Italy, before playing two matches alongside Koepka. Scheffler and Burns had also failed to deliver a full point in three matches together at the Presidents Cup the previous year.
So Scheffler and DeChambeau both have question marks hanging over them heading into Bethpage.
However, there really does not need to be.
What Scottie Scheffler said about partnering Bryson DeChambeau at Whistling Straits
It was DeChambeau who partnered a rookie by the name of Scottie Scheffler at the 2021 Ryder Cup. Scheffler had been a slightly contentious pick from Steve Stricker in the eyes of some given that he had not won on the PGA Tour before then.
The pair went on to play two matches together, winning one match, and halving the other with Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton.
And speaking after their win on Saturday afternoon, Scheffler made a statement about DeChambeau which should perhaps stick out to Bradley this year.
“I must say it’s more fun when I’m on his team than when I’m playing against him. It’s great. It’s really fun to watch. The guy is really talented, and couldn’t imagine a better partner,” he said.
Obviously, Scheffler and DeChambeau are two of the very best players on the planet now. There should not be too many players on the American side who would struggle alongside them.
But there may be no better way for the US side to make a statement on Friday morning at the biggest Ryder Cup yet than to have Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau setting the tone.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
