The 2025 Ryder Cup countdown continues, with America and Europe set to go head-to-head at Bethpage Black in September.
Keegan Bradley requested to look at Andrew Novak at the PGA Championship, with the American captain running out of time to finalise his team.
Bradley has been told to consider J.T. Poston and Denny McCarthy for Bethpage Black, the latest venue for the iconic tournament.
America heads into the tournament having lost to Luke Donald’s Team Europe at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome.
Donald continues his role as the European captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup, with Bradley replacing Zach Johnson for the hosts.
Steve Stricker shares Bethpage Black warning for American players at the Ryder Cup
And another former American captain has now given his take on the upcoming competition, with Steve Stricker sharing insight for the home players taking on Bethpage Black.
Ahead of his appearance at the Senior PGA Championship this week, he was asked how he would approach the venue compared to how he did so at Whistling Straits in 2021.
“Yeah, I mean, fortunately they’re all going to be pro-USA people I would imagine up there in New York,” he said.
“So they’re going to be able to feed off that. Our team is going to be able to feed off of that. It’s going to be loud. It’s going to be over the top probably in some instances.
“I’m sure Keegan has got ways to prepare them for that, and I think just realizing that it’s going to be out of control is the first step.
“Then I think just to maintain that even keel, that’s going to be the hard part as the U.S. Team goes, I think, is just maintaining that even keel because you’re going to feel all that energy from all those people. That’s going to be a help, but sometimes it can get in the way, too.
“I think just maintaining that evenness and being prepared for it, thinking about it, that it’s going to happen, maybe get disruptive at times towards the other team, which I hope it doesn’t, but I’ve been a part of some of those Opens there and played with Phil [Mickelson] there before, it’s loud, and it can get out of hand.
“As we saw with Sergio [Garcia] there at… what was that, a U.S. Open there, when they were all over him? Yeah.
“I think they’ve just got to be prepared mentally that anything could happen and just acknowledging that I think is a good start.”
USA Ryder Cup qualification standings after Scottie Scheffler wins PGA Championship
Bradley will certainly be hoping he can emulate Stricker later this year, with the latter having guided America to Ryder Cup success in 2021.
The home side triumphed over Padraig Harrington’s Team Europe in Wisconsin, cruising to a 19-9 victory at the tournament which was delayed due to the Covid pandemic.
They lost the title next time out in Rome, where the home fans certainly helped the Europeans to a commanding win.
American players will be hoping for similar support at Bethpage Black, which could certainly get rowdy from the first tee shot, or more likely well before.
Stricker will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on his compatriots regarding the event, but his current focus is on the Senior PGA Championship.
It gets underway at Congressional Country Club later this week, the site of memorable US Open wins for the likes of Ernie Els and Rory McIlroy.
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