Predicting the best pairings for Team USA at Ryder Cup

Cantlay and Schauffele are great friends off the course, and they have a ton of experience playing together in team events. The duo boasts an 8-6 record at the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, and it shot a 13-under 59 in the fourball format en route to a win at the 2022 Zurich Classic. These guys know each other (and their games) well, and they're battle-tested on the biggest stage in team golf. 

Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Young

This could be a dangerous duo at Bethpage. In foursomes, combining Young's driving distance and red-hot putting with Scheffler's elite short-iron and wedge play is a no-brainer. In four-ball, Scheffler and Young ranked first and 12th, respectively, on the PGA Tour in birdie average this season. Pairing up a Ryder Cup rookie with the steadiest figure in the game would be a wise move. 

Bryson DeChambeau and Collin Morikawa

One of the best weapons Team USA has at its disposal is DeChambeau's otherworldly driving distance. The best way to utilize it would be to pair DeChambeau with a rock-solid short-iron and wedge player. Well, Morikawa ranks first among all players who made the FedEx Cup Playoffs in proximity from 100-150 over the last six months. 

Justin Thomas and Ben Griffin

Thomas and Griffin are both emotional players, so they would be able to feed off each other in front of the home crowds on Long Island. Griffin's driving accuracy and top-notch putting would also be a great fit with Thomas' long-iron acumen. Warm up the rookie with the most experienced Ryder Cupper on Team USA. 

Sam Burns and J.J. Spaun

Burns was the best putter on the PGA Tour this season, so Team USA needs to find a way to give him a ton of birdie looks. Enter Spaun, who ranked seventh on Tour this year in strokes gained on approach and 24th in proximity to the hole. This is another way to ease a Ryder Cup rookie into the event alongside an experienced player.

Harris English and Russell Henley

If Bradley is going to prioritize camaraderie with his pairings, English and Henley are an obvious choice. The 36-year-olds were teammates at the University of Georgia and made the All-American team in 2010.