Several members of the U.S. Ryder Cup team will take part in the upcoming Procore Championship on the PGA Tour next month as part of their preparation for the Ryder Cup competition at Bethpage Black. The decision, supported by captain Keegan Bradley, is intended to keep players competitive and ready ahead of the September 26 start.
However, this plan presents a challenge for Bryson DeChambeau, one of the team’s more notable members. Despite being in a strong position to automatically qualify, DeChambeau is unlikely to feature in the Procore Championship due to his current status with the LIV Golf League.
DeChambeau’s Ineligibility Underscores Tour and LIV Golf Conflict
DeChambeau, a two-time U.S. Open winner, holds fifth place in the Ryder Cup points race, having competed in only eight qualifying events, all of which were major championships, missing two cuts. Yet, his membership in LIV Golf has suspended him from PGA Tour events, a situation confirmed by Keegan Bradley following the first round of the BMW Championship.
“Well, he’s suspended,” Bradley said Thursday following his opening round at the BMW Championship. “And that’s out of my control.”
—Keegan Bradley, U.S. Ryder Cup Captain
Bradley expressed a desire to have all his team members participate in the preparation event, especially DeChambeau, but acknowledged the difficulties this suspension creates.
“I thought that the Ryder Cup sort of transcends all of this,” Bradley said. “And really, the last thing on my mind is the PGA Tour-LIV stuff.”
—Keegan Bradley, U.S. Ryder Cup Captain
DeChambeau’s agent, Brett Falkoff, indicated the player’s intention to be involved wherever allowed, something the PGA Tour’s stance currently prevents. A spokesperson for the Tour stated that DeChambeau
“is not eligible for PGA Tour competition,”
making his participation in the Napa, California event unlikely despite anticipated sponsor invitations.
DeChambeau’s Competitive Form Despite Limitations
DeChambeau’s performances in major tournaments this year highlight his impressive form. He contended at three majors, finishing tied for second at the PGA Championship and sharing 10th place at the British Open, while also being in the final group at the Masters which Rory McIlroy won. His position at number 17 in the Official World Golf Ranking stands out despite no ranking points being awarded for LIV Golf events.
“We have not formally inquired,” DeChambeau’s agent, Brett Falkoff, said in a text message. “Bryson plans to participate in every team gathering that he is permitted to attend.”
—Brett Falkoff, Bryson DeChambeau’s Agent
The LIV Golf season concludes next week, leaving 33 days before the Ryder Cup starts. While DeChambeau might consider playing the Irish Open on the DP World Tour as a warm-up, eligibility rules preclude him from participating in the BMW PGA Championship the following week.
Team Leaders Advocate for Competitive Preparation at Procore Championship
Keegan Bradley stressed that playing the Procore Championship is a choice but noted that the idea has been well received among team members. Scottie Scheffler, who led the BMW Championship after the first round, indicated his plans to compete in Napa to stay sharp and ready for the Ryder Cup challenge.
“My plan as of now is to go play in Napa,” said Scottie Scheffler. “Outside of some extenuating circumstances, I’ll probably be playing in Napa.”
—Scottie Scheffler, U.S. Ryder Cup Team Member
Scheffler reflected on the last Ryder Cup in Rome, suggesting that the longer break before that event may have contributed to the U.S. team’s defeat. He emphasized the importance of balancing rest with competitive play to arrive at the Ryder Cup mentally and physically prepared.
“I think when you look at the last Ryder Cup (a U.S. defeat in Rome in 2023), I think that was maybe a bit too much time off for us. It’s one of those deals, it’s tough. When you get to the end of the PGA Tour season, I think you’re a little bit tired. You look at a year like last year I had, when it came to the end of the season, I was pretty worn out. It took a lot out of me. It was important for me to get rest.”
—Scottie Scheffler, U.S. Ryder Cup Team Member
“I think now with the way the schedule is, I think there’s like four weeks after the Tour Championship before the Ryder Cup, and that’s plenty of time to get rest while still staying competitive. It’s important for me to get out and get some competitive reps before the Ryder Cup.”
—Scottie Scheffler, U.S. Ryder Cup Team Member
Bradley’s message to the team emphasizes the aim of competing at the highest level once the Ryder Cup begins at Bethpage Black.
“The boys feel like this is the best course of action to be ready to play at their highest level at Bethpage.”
—Keegan Bradley, U.S. Ryder Cup Captain
Implications for Team Dynamics and Ryder Cup Strategy
This strategy to incorporate PGA Tour events into Ryder Cup preparation illustrates a shift toward maintaining competitive readiness in the weeks leading up to the event. While the exclusion of DeChambeau due to his LIV Golf affiliation limits full team participation, the rest of the squad appears committed to using the fall schedule to enhance their performance.
The proximity of the Procore Championship allows selected U.S. players to sharpen their game in tournament conditions, potentially offsetting previous concerns about extended breaks affecting readiness, as evidenced by last year’s U.S. loss in Rome. The decisions made in the coming weeks regarding event participation will likely have a notable impact on team cohesion and competitive momentum as Ryder Cup play at Bethpage Black approaches.