Scottie Scheffler has been the standard-bearer in golf for the past 856 days, holding the world number one ranking, a record not seen since Tiger Woods. Now, he joins 11 other players in the Ryder Cup. In a press conference prior to the tournament's practice round, Scheffler emphasized that his matches at Bethpage Black carry the same weight as those of any other competitor, whether Patrick Cantlay, Harris English, or Bryson DeChambeau. "At the end of the day, it's about winning your point," commented Justin Thomas.
"We're very happy to have him on our team this week, so we don't have to think about how to beat him in an individual tournament. It's a relief to have him on our side."
At the Ryder Cup two years ago, Scheffler, ranked number one in the world, failed to win a single match, finishing with an 0-2-2 record, including a loss alongside Brooks Koepka in the shortest match in tournament history.
History of number one players in the Ryder Cup
Historically, top-ranked players haven't performed well in the Ryder Cup, at least on the American side. Dustin Johnson, for example, had a 1-4-0 record in Paris. Tiger Woods didn't achieve a winning record until his fifth appearance in 2006, where he finished 3-2-0 as the U.S. team lost by nine points.
For Scheffler, this background isn't relevant. His focus is on showing up on the first tee, whether at Bethpage Black, Royal Portrush, or Muirfield Village, confident that he's done everything necessary to be prepared. "I don't think about the expectations people have of me. That's wasted space in my mind," he said.
The search for a suitable partner
Another aspect to consider is choosing a good partner for foursomes and fourballs matches. While Woods had 10 partners in his first four Ryder Cups, Scheffler has played with six different ones, and it seems he and Russell Henley formed a good partnership in last year's Presidents Cup.
“I think we're all equal on this team. I don't think one player is more important than another,” Scheffler said. “I'd like to think I'm not difficult to match with. I've had different teammates over the years and have had some success, but I don't consider myself in that category.”
European success of the number one players
In contrast, Europe has fared better with its top-ranked players. Jon Rahm, for example, had a 3-1-1 record in 2021, while Rory McIlroy went 3-2-0 in 2012 and 2-1-2 in 2024.
“Rory has spoken many times about what the Ryder Cup represents,” said European captain Luke Donald. “You can see the emotion on both sides.” McIlroy has shown his passion for the tournament, even in difficult moments, such as when Europe suffered a crushing defeat at Whistling Straits.
American inexperience
Despite his status, Scheffler is a leader on the U.S. team, even if he doesn't see it that way. This is only his third Ryder Cup, and the team is young, with 12 players who have a combined 15 appearances. “I don't think you can underestimate how difficult the week in Rome was. We could have done better,” he reflected. “We learned from that experience and are more prepared than ever this time.”
