Xander Schauffele might have won his Saturday afternoon match at the Ryder Cup, but it looks bleak for Team USA.
Keegan Bradley’s side trails 4.5 – 11.5 going into Sunday singles. They require the largest comeback in Ryder Cup history to win the tournament on the final day.
You can point to a number of questionable decisions from the hosts as to why they are losing so heavily. Pairing Collin Morikawa with Harris English two days running saw them be beaten heavily twice, a decision heavily criticized by fans.
But Xander Schauffele, who has helped bring home two of the USA’s 4.5 points at this Ryder Cup, pointed to another reason for the Americans’ shortcomings.
Xander Schauffele credits Europe’s ‘unbelievable’ play
Bethpage Black was set up to be easier for the players for this tournament. Good scores were out there, and the Europeans found them. They sank birdie putt after birdie putt on Saturday to crush American hopes, winning the Saturday fourballs 3-1 to take a commanding lead into Sunday.
Scottie Scheffler has played poorly, and he’s not the only underperforming American. But Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose epitomised the European effort by simply making big shots in big moments.
Schauffele admitted that Europe has outplayed his team. He said after his Saturday afternoon win: “They are playing unbelievable golf. I think the course is set up relatively easy and they are making a lot of birdies, and we are not.
“They are beating us flat out. And I’m just happy to get a point with JJ. We are going to try and have small victories right here and little bit of red on the board is a win today.”
As Team USA faces a mammoth task on Sunday, they will have to take it one match at a time to pull off a miracle.
J.J. Spaun speaks on the importance of fourball win
U.S. Open winner Spaun may feel hard done by at this Ryder Cup. He automatically qualified for Team USA after an incredible 2025, and despite acquitting himself as well as any American player, he’s only been selected to play twice by Bradley.
Spaun sank the winning putt for his first-ever Ryder Cup point. It may seem like a consolation for now, but Spaun thinks it could be important heading into Sunday.
He said, “I think at this point of the tournament, any point matters. Small victories, like Xander said, and we’ve just got to carry some sort of momentum going into tomorrow.”
It’s hard not to feel for Spaun. He was let down by Scheffler’s putting on Friday, then handed Rahm his first-ever team loss at a Ryder Cup the following day. He’s hardly been able to leave a mark on this tournament, but Spaun has made the most of the opportunities he’s been given.
Sunday is one last chance for the rookie to make an imprint, and jolt some momentum into the hosts.
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