Bryson DeChambeau said Team Europe should expect a lot of noise of American fans at Bethpage Black for the upcoming Ryder Cup, prompting a response out of Luke Donald
Bryson DeChambeau is already sparring with Team Europe ahead of the Ryder Cup(Image: Getty Images)
Two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau is rarely one to mince his words, and the 2025 Ryder Cup selection to Bethpage Black is already lighting the fire against Team Europe.
In a promotional video, DeChambeau aimed a dig at his opponents while backing the fans at Bethpage Black. “Whatever expectation they should have [about the fans], they should double it. I don’t think they’re ready for it,” he said.
These comments caught Team Europe captain Luke Donald’s attention. The Englishman, who only recently named his six captain’s picks for Bethpage Black, took the opportunity to respond to DeChambeau. “Well, if they [the players] are not ready, it’s my fault, because I’ve spent 20 months trying to get them ready for this,” he admitted.
“We understand it is going to be a hugely tough environment. New Yorkers bring the noise, they bring the energy. But I think our players will be ready.”
In addition to the six automatic selections for Team Europe — Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre, Justin Rose, Rasmus Hojgaard, and Tyrrell Hatton — Donald named six more selections: Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland, and Matt Fitzpatrick
Donald’s team features the fewest ever changes in the 98-year history of the Ryder Cup in an every-other-year format. His only new addition, Rasmus Hojgaard (an automatic qualifier), is the twin brother of 2023 selection Nicolai Hojgaard.
Luke Donald names his full Ryder Cup team(Image: Getty Images)
Speaking with the Telegraph, Donald spoke of what impact he thinks Donald Trump’s presence will have on the tournament. “That the President of the United States would want to come and grace us with his presence just shows how big the Ryder Cup has become,” he said.
“We’re expecting the crowds to be very loud and very spirited. And you know, I think he’ll add to that. But again, there’s something that we’ve been expecting…. We’ll be ready for it.”
DeChambeau was one of Team USA captain Keegan Bradley’s six automatic selections, joining Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, and Harris English.
Bradley, in strong form, could have selected himself for one of the six captain’s picks to become the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in the 1960s.
Instead, he opted for a 𝓈ℯ𝓍tet of other elite players: Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay, and Sam Burns