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With the captain’s picks out and the Ryder Cup less than a month away, one matter makes conversation: how the teams stack up. While Luke Donald went all in for the experience, Keegan Bradley kept it a blend of veteran presence and young talent. Now, Team US may have the home course advantage and the history of it on their side, but one trait of the opponent might just be enough to sneak away that win. And golf media veteran, Brendan Porath, has a brutal assessment of the case.

In a recent 5 Clubs podcast, Brendan Porath joined Gary Williams to discuss what makes Europe so dominant. When Williams asked about Europe’s edge, Porath dismissed surface-level explanations. “Is it all about the narrative? Are they playing for Seve? We understand Seve is this looming presence,” he started. “But there is sort of this greater meaning, this greater motivation, of whatever concoction they have created.” Porath explained that while icons like Seve Ballesteros remain symbolic, Europe’s strength comes from a decades-long culture.

Owing to the generation-wide legacy, Porath remarked, “It’s sort of been a four-decade process that you can sub in new names and players who probably never met Seve but understand what that means and what they’re following.” That very clearly reflected Justin Rose’s sentiment, who conveyed that this may be the 2025 Ryder Cup roster’s time, but they have a responsibility to honor those who came before and those who are going to follow after. “We are not here just for ourselves,” he says.

We see it passed down in the win record on home soil and away– the European Team has won 10 of the last 14 editions. So Porath didn’t hesitate to call out Team US’s lack of emotional investment, leading to disappointing Ryder Cup runs. He pointed out that Team US treats the Ryder Cup as yet another event, weighing on the financial incentives.

Then Porath delivered his harshest assessment of Team USA’s mentality. “I sometimes think there’s a… explanation of, ‘Well, the Europeans just care more,’ right? And the Americans are just driven by money and fame,” he claimed. Porath identified Team USA’s biggest weakness: a lack of unifying identity or patriotic drive. Europeans have the edge due to their deep-rooted attachment to the sport, whereas Team USA focuses on individual success.

Players like Scottie Scheffler might challenge Porath’s assessment. Sitting at No. 1 for more than 150 weeks, Scheffler brings both star power and technical mastery to the team. US captain Keegan Bradley called Scheffler a “natural-born leader.” He stepped up under pressure in 2021, delivering a 3&1 fourballs win alongside Bryson DeChambeau. But if Team USA wants to prove Porath wrong, Scheffler alone won’t be enough. The entire roster must emerge as a collective force rather than individual powerhouses.

However, a greater challenge right now might be turning around Europe’s Ryder Cup dominance. They would need to take a page out of Europe’s formula if they don’t intend on another heartbreaking run.

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Luke Donald vs Keegan Bradley: Difference in core strategy

Porath’s claim that “Europeans just care more” becomes clear when comparing captains. The key difference comes down to approach: Europe’s Luke Donald leads with emotional depth, while Bradley’s strategic mindset lacks that connection. Donald values players who create team cohesion over individual talent, bringing all six of his picks from previous contention’s roster.

Donald especially praised Jon Rahm‘s leadership and dedication, “Jon sets the standard for us. He is meticulous with what he does.” He added, “He understands the history of the Ryder Cup and what it represents.” He highlighted a similar trait that made him pick Shane Lowry. “His infectious energy, and he understands the concept of the team more than anyone else.” From these, it is clear that for Donald, dedication and emotional connection to the sport matter above all else.

Bradley, in his first year as captain, has made strong picks and assembled fan favorites. However, at Bethpage, Team USA must prove Porath’s harsh assessment wrong and demonstrate that they can match Europe’s deeper motivation.