The Ryder Cup has always been a cauldron of drama, surprise, and second-guessing. The 2025 edition at Bethpage Black in New York was no different, with Team Europe once again emerging victorious under the steady hand of captain Luke Donald. Yet, as the dust settles and both teams reflect on their performances, the spotlight has shifted to two intriguing narratives: the curious case of JJ Spaun’s limited role for Team USA and the growing calls for Padraig Harrington’s return as European captain for the 2027 showdown in Ireland.
Let’s start with the American camp, where questions continue to swirl around Keegan Bradley’s selection decisions. Despite assembling a squad packed with talent and momentum, Bradley’s choices—particularly regarding rookie JJ Spaun—have come under fire from both pundits and insiders. Spaun, who qualified for the squad with a sensational PGA Tour season that included a runner-up finish to Rory McIlroy at The Players and a dramatic US Open victory on the 72nd hole, seemed poised for a starring role. But his use was surprisingly limited, and now we know why.
Former PGA Tour pro and current commentator Colt Knost dropped a bombshell on the Straight Facts Homie podcast, revealing that Spaun was kept out of the foursomes—also known as alternate shot—because he’s the only player on Team USA who uses a Srixon golf ball. According to Knost, Spaun himself knew two weeks before the Ryder Cup that he wouldn’t be playing alternate shot. “I said [to Spaun], ‘any idea, off the record, who you going to go with?’ He’s like, ‘I know I’m not playing alternate shot’. I said, ‘what?’ And he said, ‘yeah, part of it, I’m the only one who plays a Srixon golf ball,’” Knost recounted.
That detail, seemingly minor, had major implications. Spaun was only deployed in fourballs and Sunday singles, never in alternate shot. It’s a decision that’s left many scratching their heads—especially after Knost watched Spaun shoot a blistering 60 at TPC Scottsdale just a week before the team left for New York. “He looked in unbelievable form,” Knost said. “I get it, he’s a rookie, so sit him out on Friday morning. But when the deficit happened, and him and Scottie played pretty good Friday afternoon, they just got beat, they were nine under, the other team was 11 under, I couldn’t believe that he wasn’t thrown out there Saturday morning.”
Spaun’s record—2-1-0 on debut—was one of the few bright spots for Team USA. Yet the Americans’ overall performance was patchy, with several pairings struggling to find rhythm. The official points tally tells the story: Xander Schauffele and Cameron Young both posted three points, but stalwarts like Scottie Scheffler and Patrick Cantlay failed to deliver as expected. Meanwhile, Spaun’s absence in foursomes loomed large as the Americans fell behind early and never truly recovered.
The criticism hasn’t stopped at Spaun’s usage. European vice-captain Edoardo Molinari, reflecting on the contest, admitted he was surprised by some of Keegan Bradley’s decisions—especially the choice to send out Collin Morikawa and Harris English again in the foursomes after a heavy defeat to Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy. “I couldn’t believe that Keegan sent them out again,” Molinari said, echoing the sentiments of many analysts. Bradley, for his part, has admitted to getting the course setup wrong but has stopped short of acknowledging any mistakes in player pairings. The post-mortem continues, with American fans and pundits alike wondering what might have been if Spaun had been given a bigger role—or if Bradley had been more flexible with his lineups.
As the Americans regroup, the focus in Europe has shifted to the future—and specifically, who will lead the blue and gold in 2027 at Adare Manor in Ireland. After back-to-back victories in Rome and Bethpage, Luke Donald’s legacy as captain is secure. But after three intense years at the helm, there’s speculation that Donald may step aside, opening the door for a new leader to take the reins on home soil.
Enter Padraig Harrington, the three-time major champion and former Ryder Cup captain. Harrington’s last stint as skipper came at Whistling Straits in 2021, where Europe suffered a heavy 19-9 defeat. Yet, despite that setback, there’s a growing chorus of voices—including LIV Golf star Richard Bland—calling for Harrington’s return. “I think coming to Ireland, as strong as America will be – they will always be a strong team – I think we will be huge favourites,” Bland recently told Bunkered. “In front of an Irish crowd, whether it will be an Irish captain, we’ll wait and see. Obviously, depending on what Luke decides to do. But I think [the US] are going to be really up against it.”
Bland’s support for Harrington is rooted in respect for the Irishman’s achievements and a belief that the 2021 loss was shaped by circumstances beyond his control. “The beating we took in Whistling Straits, I think a lot of it was to do with the fact that we didn’t have the support there because it was just coming out of COVID,” Bland explained. “Whether Harrington gets another crack at a captaincy, which, in my opinion, I feel he deserves with the player that he’s been over the last sort of 30 years.”
Harrington’s credentials are hard to dispute. As a player, he competed in multiple Ryder Cups, served as vice-captain, and has remained a visible presence in European golf. With the next Ryder Cup set for Adare Manor—a venue steeped in Irish golfing tradition—the prospect of Harrington leading Europe on home turf is tantalizing. The Emerald Isle has become a gold mine for golfing talent, and with the support of passionate home fans, Europe could be poised for a third straight triumph.
Of course, nothing is set in stone. Donald’s decision will shape the narrative, and the Americans will be eager to bounce back after two consecutive defeats. Yet, as the Ryder Cup baton passes from Bethpage to Adare Manor, the stakes—and the intrigue—have never been higher. Will Spaun’s experience prompt Team USA to rethink its approach to equipment and pairings? Will Harrington get his shot at redemption in front of an Irish crowd? Golf fans across the globe are already counting down the days.
For now, the Ryder Cup’s legacy of passion, strategy, and unpredictability continues. With both teams facing pivotal choices and the next chapter set in one of golf’s most storied landscapes, the road to Adare Manor promises more twists, turns, and unforgettable moments.
