U.S. Ryder Cup Team Uses Procore Championship to Build Chemistry
In Napa Valley this week, the Procore Championship has turned into more than just another PGA TOUR stop. It’s become a rehearsal stage and bonding ground for the U.S. Ryder Cup team. What would normally be a routine, somewhat chaotic Tuesday practice before a tournament looked very different at Silverado Resort. Instead of players quietly minding their own games, there was laughter, storytelling, and even jersey swapping.
Sam Burns was seen whistling while greeting Justin Thomas on the range. Patrick Cantlay shared memories of a past windstorm with his teammates. J.J. Spaun proudly unveiled a “USA” jersey, showing it off to world number one Scottie Scheffler. Even Russell Henley joked about his hidden competitive streak while trading barbs with Scheffler. The atmosphere had the feel of a team camp, rather than an individual tournament.
At the center of it all was Keegan Bradley, the U.S. Ryder Cup captain. Dressed head-to-toe in American team gear, Bradley moved from group to group, answering logistical questions and offering guidance. He isn’t in the tournament field himself but has committed to spending the entire week in Napa. His plan is clear: keep his team sharp, competitive, and—just as importantly—connected.
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Bradley has lined up team dinners, bonding events, and plenty of opportunities for players to spend time together off the course. The timing is deliberate. In just two weeks, the Ryder Cup returns at Bethpage Black in New York, and the Americans are determined not to repeat mistakes from their 2023 loss in Rome. Back then, only a couple of U.S. players competed in Napa before heading to the Ryder Cup. That long layoff left much of the team rusty, a factor many believe led to a slow start and eventual defeat.
This year, almost the entire U.S. roster is present, with the exceptions of Xander Schauffele, who recently became a new father, and Bryson DeChambeau, who isn’t eligible due to his LIV Golf membership. Bradley’s directive is simple: play, compete, and stay ready.
Players have embraced the change. Spaun described the experience as refreshing in a sport that can often feel isolating. Henley added that staying with fellow teammates this week has given him a rare sense of camaraderie, something he expects to miss once the Ryder Cup is over.
Practice rounds have already hinted at potential Ryder Cup pairings, with groups carefully mixed to test chemistry. Scheffler, Thomas, Morikawa, Cantlay, Burns, and others rotated across groups, while vice captains Webb Simpson and Gary Woodland joined in to observe and strategize.
Even though Bradley won’t hit a shot this week, his role as captain is being defined in real time. He has traded his clubs for a cart, focusing on building trust, sharpening team spirit, and giving his players competitive reps. The Europeans are taking a similar approach overseas, making this week feel like a parallel training ground on both sides of the Atlantic.
In Napa, the Procore Championship is serving as more than a tournament. It’s a stage for bonding, a test run for partnerships, and the unofficial start of Ryder Cup week. For the U.S. team, this is where the momentum begins.
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