Choosing The Best 6 Players To Bring The Ryder Cup Home

The United States Ryder Cup team for Bethpage Black in 2025 will be anchored by six automatic qualifiers—Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau, J.J. Spaun, Harris English, and Russell Henley.

Captain Keegan Bradley’s challenge lies in selecting the remaining six players who can complement this group, bring competitive fire, and adapt to the pressures of match play and playing for their country.  Proven performers such as Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa will probably be chosen based on leadership and experience.  Patrick Cantlay’s steady temperament and chemistry with Schauffele make him an interesting pick, although the argument is he is not in top form.  Rising stars Ben Griffin and Cameron Young add youth, with Griffin’s accuracy and Young’s raw power creating valuable flexibility with pairings.

Strategy is vital, and Bradley has multiple options to address different scenarios. Chris Gotterup’s length off the tee and high energy could energize the home crowd, especially growing up in the tri-state area. Jordan Spieth, on the other hand, can provide leadership, but he just hasn’t proved that his game is good enough at the moment.  Including Bradley himself as a playing captain would bring local knowledge and passion, though balancing that dual role would be a challenge. He currently lies 10th on the rankings list.  Depth picks such as Maverick McNealy or Sam Burns offer versatile pairing options—McNealy with his short game consistency, Burns with his proven partnership alongside Scheffler. Meanwhile, Andrew Novak or Brian Harman could be selected for their grit, match-play mentality, and ability to grind out points when the pressure is highest.

The success of these captain’s picks will ultimately hinge on more than raw talent. Bradley must weigh current form, course fit, and team chemistry to ensure his selections complement the strengths of the automatic qualifiers. Bethpage Black’s long layout and demanding greens will reward both power hitters and precision players, making balance in the roster crucial.  Bradley will have to take a few chances and bring in some new blood to challenge Europe’s dominance, energize the home crowd, and seize back momentum. Thoughtful captain’s picks will be the decisive factor that determines whether the Cup stays in the United States.

Our 6 picks are as follows:

Justin Thomas
Collin Morikawa
Andrew Novak
Cam Young
Chris Gotterup
Ben Griffin