Scottie Scheffler Calls Team USA’s Previous Ryder Cup Prep “Really Weird” – And He’s Not Wrong
Look, when the world’s number one golfer says something is “really weird” about how Team USA has been preparing for the Ryder Cup, maybe it’s time we all listen. Scottie Scheffler just dropped some truth bombs about America’s questionable approach to golf’s most prestigious team event, and honestly, it’s about time someone said it.
Why Scheffler’s Comments Matter More Than You Think
After dominating the Procore Championship last weekend, Scheffler didn’t hold back when discussing Team USA’s previous Ryder Cup preparations. The guy who’s been absolutely crushing it on the PGA Tour this season made it crystal clear that taking a month-long break before one of golf’s biggest events is, well, completely bonkers.
“I find it really weird there’s four or five weeks between the end of our season and a huge team event,” Scheffler said, and you know what? He’s absolutely right. It’s like preparing for the Super
Bowl by sitting on your couch for a month eating pizza.
The numbers don’t lie either. Before the 2023 Ryder Cup disaster in Rome – where Europe basically handed the Americans their lunch – only two USA team members (Justin Thomas and Max Homa) bothered to play in the final PGA Tour event. Meanwhile, Europe was out there staying sharp, and we all saw how that turned out.
The “Really Weird” Schedule That Cost America Big Time
Here’s where things get interesting. Scheffler and nine of his teammates decided to flip the script this year by playing in the Procore Championship. Call it revolutionary or call it common sense – either way, it’s a massive departure from the “let’s take a vacation before the most important team event” strategy that’s been failing spectacularly.
The world number one didn’t mince words about the old approach: “Those are huge for us as Americans and something we take a lot of pride in.” Translation: maybe we should actually practice before trying to beat Europe at their own game.
Scheffler’s Strategic Shift Could Change Everything
What makes this whole situation even more fascinating is that Captain Keegan Bradley apparently encouraged this change. Finally, someone in charge who understands that golf clubs don’t swing themselves after sitting idle for weeks.
Scheffler explained the delicate balance: “Playing tournament golf out here for an entire year, being in contention, it takes a lot out of you physically and mentally. So, there is a balance between rest and getting ready for the team events.”
But here’s the kicker – he followed that up with: “Going into this Ryder Cup, I felt like, for our preparation, this was something we needed to do – to come here and play this week.”
The Europe Factor: They’ve Been Doing It Right All Along
Meanwhile, Team Europe has been laughing all the way to the trophy case. While Americans were perfecting their couch-sitting techniques, European players have consistently competed right up until Ryder Cup time. It’s almost like staying in competitive form helps you play better golf. Revolutionary concept, right?
All but one of Luke Donald‘s European squad played in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, then immediately headed to New York for a scouting trip at Bethpage Black. You know, actually preparing like professionals instead of treating the Ryder Cup like a weekend getaway.
Why This Change Could Save Team USA’s Reputation
Scheffler’s victory at the Procore Championship wasn’t just another win – it was a statement. The guy who’s already bagged six victories in 2025 proved that staying sharp pays dividends. “It was nice to get all the guys together. We had some fun at the beginning of the week, played our practice rounds together,” he said.
The team chemistry angle is huge here, too. Bradley managed to get almost his entire squad together for dinner (everyone except Xander Schauffele, who became a father – perfectly valid excuse). Even Bryson DeChambeau showed up, which says something about the new team dynamic.
The Bethpage Black Reality Check
Here’s where things get really interesting. Team USA actually considered doing a scouting trip to Bethpage Black, just like Europe did. Scheffler revealed: “It was something we discussed at the beginning of the year. We floated the idea of doing a scouting trip to Bethpage or coming here and playing this event.”
Instead, they chose competitive tournament play over a casual course walk-through. Smart move, considering tournament pressure is the closest thing to Ryder Cup intensity you can get outside the actual event.
What This Means for September 26th
The Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black is shaping up to be an absolute thriller, and for once, Team USA might actually be properly prepared. Scheffler’s honest assessment of past failures combined with this new approach could be exactly what American golf needed.
“I think we’re all feeling very prepared to go into Bethpage and excited to get that week started,” Scheffler said. Coming from someone who’s been consistently dominant all year, that confidence feels earned rather than manufactured.
The bottom line? Sometimes it takes the world’s best golfer to point out the obvious: if you want to win golf’s most important team event, maybe you should actually play some golf beforehand. Revolutionary thinking, really.
With Scheffler leading this charge and the entire team buying into competitive preparation, September can’t come fast enough. Europe better be ready – because Team USA finally figured out how to show up prepared.
