LIV Golf stars were back in action following the conclusion of the Ryder Cup, hoping to show Keegan Bradley why they should have been selected for Team USA.
Keegan Bradley selected only one LIV Golf player for the Ryder Cup in Bryson DeChambeau. Meanwhile, Team Europe’s LIV duo, Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm, were two of the stars of the tournament.
The likes of Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, and Brooks Koepka were left at home, and their recent performances justified that decision. Between them, the trio missed eight cuts at the major championships in 2025 and didn’t impress consistently on LIV.
But Bradley took four rookies to Bethpage, and some looked flatly overwhelmed by the environment. Some Ryder Cup experience couldn’t have hurt the hosts.
Johnson showed he can still compete at the highest level during his first outing since Team USA’s loss in New York.
Dustin Johnson shoots 64 at Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
Johnson sent a message to Bradley at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, shooting an 8-under 64 at the Carnoustie Golf Links course.
He shot to the top of the leaderboard by the end of his round with a bogey-free scorecard. The two-time major winner shot six birdies and even recorded an eagle on the Par 5 12th hole.
After missing the cut at The Masters and the PGA Championship earlier in the year, Johnson showed an ability to navigate links courses, making the cut at The Open Championship and finishing T23.
But he finished 14th in the LIV Golf standings, with just two top-5 finishes in 14 starts. All in all, it was a poor season for the 40-year-old, and he didn’t get a look-in for Bethpage Black.
Johnson went a perfect 5-0-0 in his last Ryder Cup appearance at Whistling Straits, and has a 12-9-0 record as an individual at the event. He’ll be kicking himself that he didn’t show this kind of form on the back end of the 2025 LIV season to fight his way onto Bradley’s side.
Patrick Reed shoots at Carnoustie Golf Links
Reed put in a solid display at Carnoustie Golf Links, going 4-under for the day after shooting a round of 68. That left him in contention for the top 50 after day one of the championship, five shots behind the lead.
Unlike Johnson, Reed picked up a LIV Golf win this season, and finished seventh in the individual standings. He had two top fives on the season and showed he could fight it out with the best in the game, finishing third at the Masters this year.
Reed built a resume over 2025, which could have earned him a captain’s pick if Bradley was dead set on getting some experience on the team. He’s played in three Ryder Cups with a record of 7-3-2.
And while he didn’t show the late-season form that could have won him a place at Bethpage Black, missing the cut at The Open Championship, he may well have proven to be a valuable weapon as Europe built momentum on Friday and Saturday.
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