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Scottie Scheffler says he finds it “really weird” that previous U.S. Ryder Cup teams often went into the event without playing competitive golf for several weeks.
Normally, once the PGA Tour season ends, there has been a long gap before the big team events like the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup. Scheffler feels that break disrupted momentum, especially compared to European players who tend to stay active.
Change in Preparation for 2025 Under Captain Bradley
This year, Scheffler and most of his U.S. teammates decided to compete in the Procore Championship just before the Ryder Cup, breaking from the old pattern of long rest.
The shift in approach was encouraged by Captain Keegan Bradley. Scheffler believes this new model will help keep the team sharp and better prepared for match play and the pressures of the Ryder Cup.
Balancing Rest and Competitive Sharpness
While rest and recovery have been seen as essential after a full season, Scheffler argues there must be a balance between that and staying in competitive form.
He acknowledges that playing tournament golf late in the year can be tough physically and mentally, but says the payoff in readiness makes it worth doing. This blend of rest and competition could prove critical at Bethpage Black.
Comparing USA and Europe’s Approaches
Scheffler observed that Europe already has a long-established way of staying in form before the Ryder Cup. Many European players competed in tournaments just prior to this year’s event such as the BMW PGA Championship and some even made scouting trips to Bethpage Black.
He feels that this continuity gives Europe a competitive edge over U.S. teams that in the past may have lost sharpness during downtime.
