Who Can Keegan Bradley Trust at the Ryder Cup?

That is the core question that will determine whether or not Team USA can mount a comeback against a European team that has demolished the American side through two sessions at the 2025 Ryder Cup. With few exceptions, Friday’s matches didn’t come down to a lip-out putt or an unfortunate bounce (not that balls are bouncing on the rain-softened course anyway). Overwhelmingly, the Europeans wiped the floor with the Americans. 

Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa were worthless in the morning foursomes session. Through two matches, Scottie Scheffler has a pair of Ls and hasn’t laid eyes on the 17th hole. Bryson DeChambeau hasn’t won a point. Faced with a deficit that doesn’t properly convey the beatdown suffered at the hands of the Euros, Keegan Bradley has to decide which horses he’s riding with. And not many of the horses have come out of the gates strong. 

Here are the golfers Keegan should trust on Saturday: 

1. Scottie Scheffler – It’s been a bad scene so far. Following his two matches today, Scheffler hasn’t won a Ryder Cup match since taking down Jon Rahm in Sunday singles at Whistling Straits in 2021. Still, Bradley must trust him. There’s no path to an American victory that doesn’t include solid performances from the best player in the world. If you elect to change up his partner, fine. But he belongs on the golf course twice tomorrow. 

2. Cameron Young – What a performance from Young today, the star of the show for the Americans. Young made five birdies on his own ball in the afternoon fourballs session, almost single-handedly closing out Ludvig Aberg and Rasmus Hojgaard, 6 and 5. After the match, Justin Thomas said he was just along for the ride, enjoying his partner’s performance. If we don’t see Cameron Young twice on Saturday, Keegan Bradley should never come near the United States team room again. 

3. Bryson DeChambeau – While he’s been saddled with partners who’ve posted lousy performances, DeChambeau has put together solid performances, including a clutch birdie on the par-3 17th to extend Friday’s afternoon match. He’s one of the best players in the world on a bomber-friendly golf course. I don’t think Keegan can afford to leave DeChambeau on the bench in either session tomorrow. 

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Honorable mentions: Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, and Russell Henley. I understand some of the skepticism around Henley, as he’s the shortest hitter in the field and put up a bit of a clunker alongside Scheffler in the morning session. However, bailing on Henley, one of the most consistent players in 2025, would be an overreaction. As for Cantlay and Schauffele, they’ve been two of the lone bright spots for the Americans both today and in recent Ryder Cup history.

An American victory at Bethpage is less likely after today than it was 24 hours ago, but the road to a comeback involves a healthy dose of these six names.