Cameron Young made headlines with a bold pitch for the 2025 Ryder Cup, but not everyone’s buying it. After a commanding win, he argued that his track record and ties to Bethpage Black make him a perfect fit. “It’s home for me out there,” Young said, referencing the venue’s role in next year’s showdown. He also pointed to his consistency on big stages: “I think this week proves what I am capable of.” However, his confident stance quickly drew skepticism from golf insiders.

Notably, Golf Channel veteran Rex Hoggard challenged Young’s self-assessment. “No, I don’t think he has done everything he needs to do,” Hoggard said bluntly. He questioned Young’s ability to handle Ryder Cup pressure, especially with the Cup on the line: “How comfortable are you going to be… and it’s Cameron Young that has to win that match?”

Hoggard cited Young’s 1–2–1 record at the 2022 Presidents Cup, where he lost his singles match to Sungjae Im. For Hoggard, the concern isn’t talent—it’s whether Young has proven clutch enough under fire.

This isn’t the first time Young has faced exclusion. In 2023, he ranked 17th in the world yet missed Ryder Cup selection. Then-captain Zach Johnson favored struggling veterans like Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler, citing experience and team chemistry. At the time, Young had five top-10 finishes in majors, matching Viktor Hovland’s total. Still, analysts blamed his uninspiring Presidents Cup debut for the snub. Now, with Keegan Bradley as captain, Young faces the same challenge: proving he’s more than just potential.

Bradley knows the pain of being passed over. “I was crushed,” he said about missing the 2023 team. “I had done enough to be there.”

Earlier this year, he hinted at favoring hungry, in-form players. “I’ll lean into guys who want it badly,” he said. That mindset could help Young. Still, captains often choose safety. In 2021, Steve Stricker left out match-play specialist Patrick Reed. In 2023, Zach Johnson prioritized team chemistry over stats. If Bradley follows that path, Young must dominate and not just perform to earn his place.

Across the pond, Tommy Fleetwood presents an interesting contrast. He has yet to win on the PGA Tour but owns a stellar Ryder Cup resume. In 2018, Fleetwood went 4–1 at Le Golf National, forming a historic partnership with Francesco Molinari. His calm under pressure and team chemistry give Europe a proven weapon.

That track record could outweigh individual wins when selection time comes. After all, in Ryder Cup battles, grit often matters more than trophies. Cameron Young has the talent and the hometown edge, but history demands more than potential.

With Ryder Cup Spots on the Line, Every Playoff Event Becomes a Must-Win Audition

Cameron Young finally broke through with a long-awaited PGA Tour win—just in time to revive his Ryder Cup case. After a string of seven runner-up finishes, the 28-year-old cruised to a six-shot victory at the Wyndham Championship, matching the tournament’s scoring record at 22-under. With that, he surged to 16th in the FedExCup standings and turned up the volume on his Ryder Cup pitch.

“I think this week proves what I am capable of,” Young said post-round. Citing his top-10s in majors and deep roots at Bethpage Black, next year’s Ryder Cup venue, he added, “It’s home for me out there… I have some work left to do… this is week one of four.”

Still, Cameron Young isn’t the first to make a late Ryder Cup push. In 2018, Tony Finau surged with strong playoff finishes. He earned his debut after back-to-back top-five results. In 2023, Sam Burns and Collin Morikawa also closed hard. Their strong finishes helped them grab captain’s picks. But late runs don’t always work.

Last year, Zach Johnson picked struggling veterans over Young. Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler got nods for team-room chemistry. Young must now prove more than form. Under Keegan Bradley, every playoff round counts—and one win might not be enough.

With his breakthrough victory, Young sent a clear message. His 22-under total tied the Wyndham scoring record and earned him $1.47 million, but the real prize may be momentum. Vaulting to 16th in the FedExCup standings, he enters the playoffs with confidence and pressure. The next stop, the FedEx St. Jude Championship, offers another chance to prove he belongs on Team USA. If Young wants to erase all doubt, he’ll need to keep winning, not just contending.