With the Ryder Cup just days away, attention is already turning to which players will be under the most pressure. Among all the stars at Bethpage Black, few will face as much scrutiny as Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.
Both players have found form in LIV Golf and arrive in New York with high expectations behind them.
DeChambeau booked his place early, qualifying automatically after winning the 2024 US Open, before strong performances in this year’s majors secured his spot.
Rahm’s route was different, slipping down to 24th in the rankings and earning a captain’s pick from Luke Donald.
Tyrrell Hatton is also representing LIV Golf, but when it comes to who needs to deliver most, all eyes will be on Rahm and DeChambeau. Both are more than capable of handling big occasions, but this week could test that more than ever before.
LIV Golf has taken a lot of heat over the years, much of it centred around whether their players are properly prepared for top-level events. The three-round format has often been criticised for not matching up to the demands of other tours.
This week is no exception. With DeChambeau and Rahm among the tour’s top earners, there will be a spotlight on them to deliver, especially as fans continue to question LIV’s place in the wider golf world.
If they play well and contribute to their teams’ points totals, it could help to quiet some of that noise, at least for a while. But if they struggle, you can expect familiar arguments about LIV’s shortcomings to resurface quickly.
Performances at Bethpage Black will not just matter for their teams, but also in shaping opinions about LIV. Strong outings from both players could provide some positive talking points for a tour that has faced its fair share of scepticism.
There are plenty of eyes on DeChambeau and Rahm heading into Bethpage Black, and with their competitive edges, this could be one of the standout stories of the week.
Both players bring strong personalities to the event, which adds another layer of intrigue to how they will perform under the spotlight.
DeChambeau is set for his third appearance and will look to add to his 2.5 points from previous outings.
Jon Rahm has established himself as a key figure for Europe. Heading into his fourth Ryder Cup, he has already delivered 7.5 points for his side while maintaining an impressive 4-0 record in foursomes play.
If either player hits top form, it could tip the balance towards either side.
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