Golf News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Brandel Chamblee warns of challenge Keegan Bradley may face with Bryson DeChambeau at Ryder Cup

Originally posted on HITC | By Jordan Harris | Last updated Aug 28, 2025 6:42 AM ET

While there’s plenty of uncertainty around next month’s Ryder Cup, one thing that’s looking pretty clear is that Bryson DeChambeau will get a big welcome from the Bethpage crowd.

The 2021 Ryder Cup marked a turning point in DeChambeau’s career. Before then, he was often a polarising figure on the PGA Tour, but his showing at Whistling Straits helped change some of those perceptions.

He didn’t instantly become a fan favourite after that, but by the time the 2024 US Open rolled around, it was clear public opinion had shifted. The fans at Pinehurst treated him like a hero.

It wouldn’t be surprising if he ends up being the most popular player on either team at this year’s event.

Brandel Chamblee voices concerns over Bryson DeChambeau before Ryder Cup

Keegan Bradley had nothing but positive things to say about how DeChambeau earned his place on the team. Despite only picking up points at the majors, the LIV Golf player still managed to break into the top six.

But there are questions about how easy it will be for Bradley to get the best out of him. Speaking on Golf Channel after Bradley’s six picks were announced, Brandel Chamblee hinted that getting the best out of DeChambeau won’t be a straightforward task.

Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images

“If you go back to 1979 when it became continental Europe vs the United States, when you look at the first session and the very first match of that session, the winner of the first match of the first session has predicted the winner of the Ryder Cup 68 percent of the time,” he said.

“That is how important that session is, one in terms of getting momentum going but it also says who is going to lead with their strength and pick the best team to go out there and that team gets replicated over and over and over again.”

“So for Keegan Bradley, he has an embarrassment of riches. The six players he picked – their combined world rank (15.5) – is better than the six players that qualified for European side.”

“To me it’s how do you pair Bryson DeChambeau? He is an unbelievable golfer but he has been notoriously difficult to pair with.”

“He has been paired with Phil Mickelson and lost a couple times; with Woods lost; Scheffler won one tie out of two ties. So it’s like how do you find someone to play with Bryson DeChambeau?

“I think Keegan Bradley leans on in a foursome session: you are going lean on your best ball strikers. That’s what Europe have done very successfully over the course of the Ryder Cup.

Keegan Bradley picks his Ryder Cup team as Bryson DeChambeau makes comeback after being dropped

Reviewing Bryson DeChambeau’s Past Ryder Cup Partnerships

Chamblee brought up a fair point about the range of partners DeChambeau has had in the Ryder Cup. It’s quite a mix. Back in 2018, he played alongside Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.

Jim Furyk’s decision to put Mickelson into the foursomes that Friday afternoon raised some eyebrows, while Woods appeared to be running on empty after his Tour Championship win just before heading to France.

Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images

Things went better for DeChambeau three years later when he was paired with Scottie Scheffler.

Bradley might be considering a return to that pairing, but it would be hard to overlook how well Scheffler teamed up with Russell Henley at the Presidents Cup.

No matter who Bradley picks, he’ll know just how important it is to get the most out of DeChambeau this time around.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: