Ryder Cup contender Keegan Bradley discloses Fall Series event as significant Ryder Cup preparation
The Procore Championship, a Fall Series event on the PGA Tour, is set to attract an unusually strong field as many members of the 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup team are participating in the tournament. The event, held in Napa, California, serves as a crucial warm-up for the Ryder Cup, scheduled for Bethpage Black in September.
Team captain Keegan Bradley has strongly encouraged his players to attend the Procore Championship as a way to bridge the gap between the Tour Championship and the Ryder Cup. By participating, the players aim to stay match fit and shake off any potential rust before the Ryder Cup matches.
However, one notable absence is Bryson DeChambeau, an automatic qualifier for the Ryder Cup team. DeChambeau is ineligible to play in the Procore Championship due to his affiliation with LIV Golf, which has led to his suspension from PGA Tour events. Despite this, DeChambeau has expressed hope for a sponsor exemption but has not formally pursued one. He plans to participate in Ryder Cup team gatherings as allowed but cannot join his teammates at the Procore Championship.
The majority of Team USA players are expected to participate in the Procore Championship. The decision for players to attend was made after discussions with those expected to be on the team at Bethpage Black. Captain Bradley has emphasised that while his players are encouraged to attend, participation is not mandatory.
The six automatic American qualifiers for the Ryder Cup will be decided after next week's BMW Championship. Following this, on August 27, Captain Keegan Bradley will make his picks for the Ryder Cup team.
Wyndham Clark, who made the team, felt that some players were not prepared after five weeks off before the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone. In contrast, the European team played at the PGA Championship at Wentworth and the Irish Open before the Ryder Cup in 2023.
Max Homa and Justin Thomas, along with captain Zach Johnson, played in Napa in 2023 before the Ryder Cup. The Procore Championship serves as a valuable tune-up event for the Ryder Cup, providing players with the opportunity to compete and fine-tune their skills before the big event.
If Captain Bradley decides to be a player-captain, he may also participate in the Procore Championship. Bradley believes that the players want to feel ready to play at their highest level at Bethpage Black and feel that participating in the Procore Championship is the best way to achieve this.
In summary, the Procore Championship serves as a crucial preparatory tournament for the Ryder Cup, providing players with an opportunity to stay match fit and shake off any potential rust before the Ryder Cup matches. While the tournament is not mandatory, many members of Team USA are participating under the guidance of Captain Keegan Bradley.
Golf enthusiasts can see several members of the 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup team competing at the Procore Championship, as it provides them with a crucial warm-up for the Ryder Cup that helps them stay match fit. This tournament, serving as a valuable tune-up event, allows players like Max Homa, Justin Thomas, and captain Zach Johnson to fine-tune their skills before the big event at Bethpage Black.
