Team Europe touched down in New York yesterday for a three-day reconnaissance trip before the Ryder Cup face-off. The team has not only started planning and strategizing, but has also begun playing mind games to shake the foundation by questioning the team of their rivals.

Talking to Sky Sports, Justin Rose, the English veteran, has made a bold statement for Scottie Scheffler & Co. “I think America have tried too hard to become a team, whereas Europe is a bit more natural and organic, and I think it comes from deeper roots in a way….” said the European Captain. Donald might be on to something here. For instance, if we look at the team rosters, the European team stays almost identical except for the rookie Rasmus Hojgaard. The American team is quite fresh; on the other hand, with 4 rookies on the roster this year. This paints a bigger picture than just good team picks by the captain.

Further, he added, “… I think the Americans have gotten a little bit… they think being a great team is about being best mates. I really don’t think that’s what being a great team is…” Rose questioned the selection of the American side, stating it does not resemble the ideology and character of the American side’s history. Well, for the European side, that has been the idea: to create an impact in the history of the European Ryder Cup with small participation each time. Back in 2023, too, Rose, during the No Laying Up podcast, shared about the same. When asked about what united the team, he replied, “Team culture.” 

Now, with his seventh participation in this edition, he is still following that idea. Even Rose added, “Being a great team is having a kind of a real good theme and having an identity that has come from players before you, and you all buy into that vision.” With the European team talking about creating a legacy, the American team was already under scrutiny for taking a paycheck for playing at the Ryder Cup. 

Historically, the US team received $200,000 strictly for charity, but for the 2025 season, they will get $500,000 for participation at the Ryder Cup. Out of the total money, $300,000 will be donated for charity, while the remaining $200,000 will be the stipend for the players. With the new monetary benefit added, Patrick Reed, who featured in three Ryder Cup editions, has also criticised the move. 

He said, “It’s one of those that I really think is unnecessary, to be honest with you. I mean, there are certain events for which money means absolutely nothing.” Captain America has also shared that the experience of representing at the Ryder Cup is enough, which can never be compared to the dollar bills.

However, Reed, despite his past experience and performance, is not part of this year’s Ryder Cup. Though fans urged Bradley to have Reed as the vice-captain, there is no update on that either. But with Reed playing and dominating against the European team at the BMW PGA Championship, he has shared some key observations that leave the European side with an advantage.  

Patrick Reed senses Bryson DeChambeau & Co. at a disadvantage in Ryder Cup

Reed finished a good T3 at the BMW PGA Championship, shooting scores of 69-68-69-66. However, after the round, he shared some interesting observations on teh camraderie of the European players. He shared, “The actual brotherhood and camaraderie out here, you don’t really have in the States. Here, you’re jumping country to country, not state to state.” 11 out of the 12 Ryder Cup players were featured in the event. Unlike the American team, as pointed out by Justin Rose, they share a great brotherhood example of discussing, boasting about each other, and even eating together as a team. 

In fact, according to Reed, that will give the European side an edge. “That’s definitely an edge that they have over here, the camaraderie and the tightness of the group,” said Captain America. With the American team still packing for the event, the European side has already planned a 2-day reconnaissance trip to get an advantage. 

At first, the harsh statement of Justin Rose was tough to digest, but with the actions and supporting incidents observed by the former Ryder Cup players, it hints at many flaws with the American side. However, playing on home soil, the team will have an advantage.