In the Ryder Cup, as usual, a faltering US team needs to make more putts

This was when Lanny Watkins was at Wake Forest—yes, a long time ago. And the golf squad, failing to take the college golf championship, was criticized for “not playing as a team.” 

Watkins, who of course became a star pro, won the PGA Championship and then moved on to a career in announcing, had a quick sarcastic response. 

“What were we supposed to do,” he asked, “pass the ball around more?” 

No, make more putts. Which right now is exactly what the struggling US Ryder Cup Team needs to do.

After getting blitzed in Europe two years ago, the US team supposedly had everything on its side at the 2025 matches at Bethpage Black in New York. The world No. 1, Scottie Scheffler, and the home course advantage. 

But going into Saturday’s second day of the cup, America trailed 5½ to 2½ against a European squad that was making its putts—and making a U.S. comeback seem doubtful, even with two days left, including Sunday’s singles matches. 

We know golf is an unpredictable sport.  

“Sometimes, the harder you try, the worse you play,” US team captain Keegan Bradley told USA Network. 

Or sometimes the opponent simply plays better, which, on Friday, was very much the case.

In both the morning foursomes (alternate shots) and the afternoon four-ball (better ball), Scheffler ended up on the losing end. 

In foursomes, Ludvig Aberg of Sweden and Matt Fitzpatrick of Britain smashed Scheffler and Russell Henley, 5 and 3. Then later in the day Scheffler and J.J. Spaun were beaten by Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka, 3 and 2.

Dropping both matches on an opening day of a Ryder Cup hadn’t happened to someone on top of the world ranking since 2002 and that unfortunate man was named Tiger Woods. 

Indeed, the sport can be very confusing and deflating, even for the very best.

That the US would falter in the foursomes, alternate shot, maybe shouldn’t be that great a shock. The format rarely is utilized in the United States except in international competition, such as the Ryder Cup or the President’s Cup.

Still, you’d expect players as skilled as Scheffler to adapt, especially since this is Scottie’s third Ryder Cup. 

If the top player in the world couldn’t quite make things work at the start of this 45th Ryder Cup, at least some of his teammates found a way.

Patrick Cantlay, who possesses the short game and putting touch required in this competition, teamed with Xander Schauffele for a 2-up win over Viktor Hovland and Robert MacIntyre. And then Cantlay, a one-time star at UCLA, and Sam Burns got a half in the final match of the afternoon, giving America the ultimate half point.

As most are aware, the players on the European team have strong US connections. Virtually all of them play on the PGA tour, and many went to school in the United States. An unfair advantage?

Not really. The advantage comes from the Euros’ great play when it matters most.