FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Bryson DeChambeau is no stranger to having a flair for the dramatic.
In the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, he famously pulled driver on the par-4 first hole and drove the green before making the eagle putt to go 1 up in his Sunday Singles match.
Now, back on the U.S. Ryder Cup team for the third time at Bethpage Black, there’s a chance DeChambeau is going to pull driver on the opening hole again. After the end of Team USA’s practice round Tuesday, DeChambeau and Justin Thomas went to the first tee and pulled out the big sticks while taking a couple swings toward the first green.
The hole, which plays significantly downhill and was playing downwind Tuesday, is playing shorter in the 2025 Ryder Cup thanks to the grandstands build on the normal first tee to surround the tee box and the 18th green. The shorter hole gives players a chance to cut the green, and the duo had to try it out before ending their practice round.
Last week during the European scouting trip, Rory McIlroy also pulled driver on the first tee.
“I think Bryson, just his golfing ability alone is an X-factor for our team, but also, he’s a really fiery player,” U.S. captain Keegan Bradley said Tuesday. “When you come to a Ryder Cup, you don’t want guys to try to be something they’re not. We have a lot of calm, mellow guys, so we need the energy from Bryson, and he brings that every day in practice rounds, in the team room, and hopefully in the tournament competition, too.”
We’ll have to wait until Friday to see whether anyone actually does it, but don’t be surprised if in four-ball, some of the longer hitters blast away on the first tee.
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