The rolling hills of Napa Valley aren’t just famous for their vineyards this September—they’ve become the epicenter of a new, focused approach for the U.S. Ryder Cup team. With the memory of a stinging defeat in Rome still fresh, U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley has taken a proactive step, gathering 10 of his 12 players at the Procore Championship at Silverado Resort for a week that’s about far more than just birdies and bogeys. It’s a calculated effort to foster team chemistry, sharpen competitive edges, and, perhaps most importantly, avoid the rust that haunted the Americans in 2023.
Bradley’s intentions were clear from the outset: “One of our goals was to have the guys prepared, ready to know who they're playing with,” he told reporters, revealing that he’s “90 percent” sure of his pairings for the upcoming Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York, now just two weeks away. That level of preparation is a marked contrast to the lead-up to last year’s contest, where only two U.S. players entered a tournament before the matches in Rome. The result? A lopsided loss, with the Americans dropping the opening session 4-0 and trailing 6.5 to 1.5 after the first day. Eleven of Europe’s players had played at least one event prior, and their sharpness showed.
This time, Bradley isn’t leaving anything to chance. The Procore Championship has become an unofficial training camp, with groupings that may double as sneak previews of Ryder Cup pairings. The captain’s meticulous planning has been on full display, as he’s grouped Scottie Scheffler, Russell Henley, and J.J. Spaun together; Collin Morikawa with Harris English; Patrick Cantlay with Sam Burns; and Justin Thomas with Ben Griffin and Cameron Young. It’s no accident—these combinations might well be the duos fans see walking the fairways at Bethpage Black.
The week in Napa has already paid dividends on the leaderboard. Ben Griffin, a captain’s pick and one of the breakout stars of the 2025 season, surged to a solo lead after firing a bogey-free 66 on Friday, moving to 14 under par. “I've been pretty focused on this golf tournament,” Griffin said after his round. “Without a doubt, off the golf course, hanging out with the guys and stuff there's been some Ryder Cup presence. But once I get on the first tee I'm thinking I'm trying to play well here.” Griffin, who’s notched 10 top-10 finishes this year and is eyeing his third victory, has shown exactly the sort of form Bradley hopes will translate to the pressure cooker of Ryder Cup play.
He’s not alone. Russell Henley, another Ryder Cup rookie, sits just three shots back in a tie for second at 11 under. Henley’s season has been stellar, with a win and nine other top-10s, and his ability to handle the moment is being closely watched. J.J. Spaun, the reigning U.S. Open champion, is tied for fourth at nine under, while World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is lurking at T-13, six under after a 68. Cam Young, another rookie, shot 67 to climb into a tie for 20th. Collin Morikawa, Harris English, and Justin Thomas are all inside the top 50, keeping their games sharp ahead of the main event.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Patrick Cantlay, a veteran entering his fourth Ryder Cup, has raised eyebrows with a sluggish performance—barely making the cut at one under after rounds of 72 and 71. Despite two top-10s in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, Cantlay’s form is a point of concern for Bradley. Sam Burns, another captain’s pick, shares Cantlay’s spot at T-61, leaving some questions about their readiness for the high-stakes atmosphere of Bethpage Black.
Noticeably absent from the Procore Championship are Xander Schauffele, who recently welcomed his first child, and Bryson DeChambeau, busy with his commitments to LIV Golf. Their absence means Bradley’s training camp isn’t quite at full strength, but with 10 of 12 in attendance, the captain has made the most of the opportunity.
Preparation, Bradley insists, is everything—especially when it comes to the Ryder Cup’s trickiest format: foursomes, or alternate shot. “I think foursomes is obviously the tougher format to pair because there's so many more factors,” Bradley explained. “There's the golf ball. You really want to match up the personalities with foursomes because it is a way tougher format.” His history with pairings is limited, though. Only four players on his team have ever won a Ryder Cup point in foursomes, and just one—Collin Morikawa—holds a winning record. The tried-and-true partnership of Cantlay and Schauffele, who are 2-2 together in foursomes, seems likely to continue. Justin Thomas, with a 2-3 record, will need a new partner this year as Jordan Spieth isn’t on the roster.
Bradley’s groupings in Napa may offer clues. Burns, who played with Scheffler in Rome (albeit unsuccessfully), could be reunited with the World No. 1, but Russell Henley’s experience playing alongside Scheffler at last year’s Presidents Cup makes him a candidate as well. Spaun, who’s spoken of getting comfortable with Scheffler this week, might be another option. Morikawa and Harris English, paired together at Silverado, could form a new foursomes duo. Meanwhile, Thomas’s grouping with Griffin and Young may be an audition for leading rookies into battle.
With four rookies and two players with just one previous Ryder Cup appearance, Bradley’s squad is short on foursomes experience. That makes this week’s bonding and on-course experimentation all the more vital. Off the course, camaraderie is building—dinners in wine country, shared practice rounds, and plenty of strategizing. On it, the Americans are sharpening their games and, perhaps, exorcising some demons from last year’s defeat.
For now, the Procore Championship is still in full swing, with Griffin leading the charge and several Ryder Cup hopefuls in hot pursuit. The real test, though, is just around the corner. With Bradley’s blueprint taking shape and his players responding to the challenge, the Americans are doing everything they can to ensure they’re ready when the Ryder Cup spotlight turns to Bethpage Black.
As the sun sets over Napa, the U.S. team leaves the Silverado Resort with renewed confidence, a clearer sense of purpose, and—if Bradley’s hunches prove right—pairings that just might help them reclaim the Ryder Cup on home soil.
