Keegan Bradley is heading into his first Ryder Cup as captain looking to end Europe’s run of eight straight home wins, and he’ll know the job starts with getting his pairings right at Bethpage Black.
Zach Johnson got that wrong in Rome, especially on Friday morning when none of his four rookie pairings worked out. The US fell 4-0 behind and never recovered from there.
Fans will be expecting a different approach this time, and Bradley has already spent more time working on potential combinations than any US captain since Paul Azinger in 2008. Even back then, it was more about focusing on personality fits than specific player matchups.
There was talk earlier this year about whether Bradley might pick himself as a playing captain. Some fans were even pushing for it. But he decided against it, choosing to concentrate fully on his role as captain instead.
One of the biggest jobs he faces is building the right partnerships for the foursome and fourball matches at Bethpage. It’s a task that could define how the event plays out.
Keegan Bradley testing out interesting Ryder Cup pairing ahead of Bethpage
Nearly the entire US Ryder Cup squad is taking part in the Procore Championship this week.
Bryson DeChambeau is out for reasons that have already been explained, and Xander Schauffele is sitting this one out as well following the recent birth of his child.
With 10 players set to tee off at Silverado Resort, it’s a great chance for Bradley to try out some pairings ahead of the matches at Bethpage Black later in the year.
One combination during the Procore Championship practice rounds stood out straight away.
Scottie Scheffler, who’s currently world number one, was seen playing with J.J. Spaun and Russell Henley on Tuesday in Napa.
Scheffler has teamed up with Henley before, but there’s a growing feeling that Spaun could be an even better fit for him at Bethpage.
Scheffler and Spaun were both outstanding throughout 2025 on the PGA Tour, combining for three major wins between them.
If Keegan Bradley is going to get everything he can out of Scheffler during Friday and Saturday pairs matches, finding a partner who complements him perfectly will be crucial. Right now, all signs point to Spaun being that player. His consistent playstyle and ability to stay calm under pressure make him a strong candidate to help Scheffler shine at Bethpage Black.
Why Scheffler and Spaun could be the ideal pairing for the Ryder Cup
Scheffler finished 2025 leading the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach, with Spaun close behind in seventh. That level of ball-striking from both players would make them a tough match-up for anyone.
Spaun is also no slouch off the tee. He was ranked 23rd in total driving, while Scheffler led the tour in strokes gained off the tee this season.
On top of that, Scheffler has become one of the game’s best putters, while Spaun showed at Oakmont during his US Open win that he can deliver special moments on the greens when it matters most.
Together, they could form a very strong team at Bethpage Black – one few European players would want to face.
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