Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee has spotlighted a pressing issue for Team USA’s Ryder Cup captain, Keegan Bradley: the challenge of pairing Bryson DeChambeau effectively in team formats. Chamblee emphasized that the opening match on Friday sets the tone more often than not.
“If you go back to 1979 when it became continental Europe vs the United States, when you look at the first session and the very first match of that session, the winner of the first match of the first session has predicted the winner of the Ryder Cup 68 percent of the time,“ Chamblee said. “To me it’s how do you pair Bryson DeChambeau? He is an unbelievable golfer but he has been notoriously difficult to pair with.”
That statistic framed Chamblee’s broader concern: Bradley’s roster is deeply talented; his six captain’s picks boast a combined world ranking of 15.5, which tops Europe’s automatically qualifying group. Still, Chamblee warned that the success of the team could hinge on whether Bradley can find the right chemistry for DeChambeau.
Bryson’s Pairing Puzzle
DeChambeau is undeniably one of the sport’s most powerful and exciting talents, but that on-course dominance comes with a pairing caveat. Chamblee pointed to Bryson’s past Ryder Cup duos: he was paired with Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods in 2018, unfortunately suffering lopsided losses (both matches ended 5&4)–a clear sign that pairing the wrong teammate with him can backfire.
In contrast, his 2021 pairing with Scottie Scheffler proved more fruitful; they earned 1.5 points over two four-ball matches. Chamblee’s conclusion: DeChambeau’s raw talent is a given, but how Bradley pairs him could make or break Team USA’s chance to reclaim the Cup.
Bradley’s roster, assembled with care and strategy, is undeniably strong. His six captain’s picks–Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Sam Burns, Patrick Cantlay, and Cameron Young–bring both skill and diversity to the team. With four rookies in the group and a mix of experience and momentum, Bradley has created a deep pool of options.
Yet Chamblee’s analysis underscores that the depth is only part of the equation. In Ryder Cup formats (particularly foursomes and four-ball) the right chemistry can elevate performances. Missteps in pairing, especially for a cauldron-like presence such as DeChambeau, can disrupt matchflow and morale.
Bradley’s Praise: More Than Just Talent
Beyond the pairing puzzle, Bradley has sincerely praised DeChambeau’s commitment to the team–especially considering the divide between PGA Tour and LIV Golf loyalties. Despite playing just eight qualifying events, DeChambeau topped the standings and earned his slot.
“One of the most incredible things is he qualified for this team off of eight starts, which is unheard of. But what I’m most impressed [by] is the effort that he’s made to be a part of this team,” Bradley said.
“He’s had to travel, go out of his way to meet us in our places, and he’s gone above and beyond what we would ever ask of a player,”
Bradley also stressed that DeChambeau’s LIV status won’t undermine team unity. “The simple fact is that Bryson DeChambeau is one of the best golfers on planet Earth,” Bradley said. “We can pair him up with a lot of guys. He has been very open with–he’ll play with anybody. He’s just rabid to get out there and represent his country at Bethpage Black. He’s a really great weapon that we’re going to have.
“Bryson has been absoltely incredible through this whole process. Whether he is on LIV or whatever tour he is on, it doesn’t matter on that first tee at Bethpage Black. It matters that we have 12 strong U.S. players that are willing to come together and win the Ryder Cup.”
Rapaport Weighs In on DeChambeau Partnership
Golf commentator Dan Rapaport offered a bold pairing suggestion: pair DeChambeau with rookie Cameron Young. In his view, the duo’s shared aggressive, long‑ball style could be electrifying in four-ball format. He put it simply:
“I think we go Bryson and Cam Young, just do that in best ball, just the bombers. Have two guys who fly it 330.”
Rapaport’s logic? Young’s dynamic game and hunger for success could mesh naturally with DeChambeau’s powerhouse approach. He outlines other potential combinations (like Scheffler‑Burns, Schauffele‑Cantlay, Thomas‑Morikawa), but he singles out Bryson and Young as a uniquely explosive match-up.
Pairing a rookie alongside DeChambeau could offer strategic advantages: Young brings fresh energy, while having someone with a similar style might simplify decision-making in fast-moving formats. The contrast between youth and experience could also create psychological momentum.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Why DeChambeau Could Be Bradley’s Biggest Ryder Cup Test appeared first on Heavy Sports.