With a significant gap between the Tour Championship and the Ryder Cup, U.S. team captain Keegan Bradley expects numerous team members to participate in the PGA Tour’s Procore Championship in Napa, California, held between the two events. The PGA Tour Ryder Cup fall preparation period has created an opportunity for players to fine-tune their game ahead of the Ryder Cup matches.
Bradley, who is competing in the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis—the first of three FedEx Cup playoff events—confirmed via text to Sports Illustrated that he plans to attend the Procore Championship at the Silverado Resort and will compete in it if selected for the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
“No one is required to go,”
Bradley said.
“The boys feel like this is the best course of action to be ready to play at their highest level at Bethpage.”
The Procore Championship’s Role in Player Preparation and Tour Status
The Procore Championship is scheduled from September 11 to 14 and marks the initial tournament of the PGA Tour’s fall series. It provides a critical platform not only for Ryder Cup hopefuls but also for those who missed the FedEx Cup playoffs to either qualify for prominent events in the next season or maintain their Tour cards for 2026. The event also welcomes other exempt PGA Tour members.
When asked whether the long interval between events was the main factor motivating players to participate, Bradley emphasized the players’ desire to feel fully prepared for Bethpage.
“I think the guys want to feel ready to go at Bethpage (Sept. 26-28) and they feel this is the best way to do it,”
he said.
Learning from Past Ryder Cup Preparation Challenges
Following the United States’ 16½ to 11½ loss to Europe two years ago in Rome, there was widespread scrutiny regarding how the team was prepared under then-captain Zach Johnson. During that Ryder Cup, only Max Homa, Justin Thomas, and non-playing captain Johnson attended the Napa event. However, nine other U.S. players made a scouting trip to Marco Simone Golf Club in Italy less than two weeks before the competition. Jordan Spieth, Xander Schauffele, and Patrick Cantlay opted out of the trip.
Reflecting on the preparation gap last year, Clark explained,
“Last year it was realistically four weeks [break after the Tour Championship], and then by the time you pegged it up to play, it was the fifth week, so it’s five weeks. I mean, I would never prepare for a big event where I had five weeks off between one tournament to the next.”
Clark further detailed the impact of this extended break during the Ryder Cup matches.
“Through four holes I said, ‘Man, I’m sorry,’”
Clark said of his performance early in a Friday four-ball match alongside Homa against Robert MacIntyre and Justin Rose.
“Because I kind of was not playing good the first four holes. I said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m not tournament sharp right now, I’ll get into it.’ Then eventually I started getting more comfortable. But for sure. I felt like a lot of us weren’t prepared.”
European Team’s Competitive Preparation Options
European players benefited from having multiple tournaments to fine-tune their game before the Ryder Cup, including the BMW PGA Championship held two weeks prior. Additionally, the Irish Open, which takes place the week before the BMW event, is likely to attract European Ryder Cup players seeking more competition ahead of the matches.
The six automatic European qualifiers will be finalized after the British Masters (August 21–24), with captain Luke Donald’s picks to be announced the following week.
U.S. Automatic Qualifiers and Captain’s Selection Timeline
The United States’ six automatic Ryder Cup qualifiers will be determined after the BMW Championship next week, while Keegan Bradley will name his captain’s picks on August 27, following the conclusion of the Tour Championship. Ranked 10th in the Official World Golf Ranking and also 10th in the U.S. Ryder Cup team standings, Bradley is the defending champion at the BMW Championship.
Significance of the PGA Tour Ryder Cup Fall Preparation Period
This fall preparation phase is critical for the U.S. team’s readiness after previous challenges highlighted the risks of a long layoff between major events. The proximity of the Procore Championship to the Ryder Cup offers players a practical chance to regain competitive rhythm and sharpen their skills on course conditions that may resemble Ryder Cup play. Participation in Napa could influence the U.S. team’s performance at Bethpage, potentially helping avoid the preparation pitfalls experienced in earlier competitions.