Justin Rose has questioned the bond between Keegan Bradley’s players ahead of the Ryder Cup as the Europe star chases a second victory on foreign soil at Bethpage Black next week
Justin Rose has fueled the tensions ahead of the Ryder Cup, suggesting that Team USA has not grasped what it truly means to be a good team.
The chemistry, or lack thereof, of the American team has been an ongoing theme in recent Ryder Cups, with Europe winning eight of the past 11 editions. In an attempt to finally dispel that narrative, captain Keegan Bradley appears to have made a concerted effort to foster stronger bonds between his players.
That has seldom been an issue for Europe; its players have not only had strong relationships off the course, but they have also proudly bought into the history of the team and been inspired by the greats of years gone by. Rose and his teammates arrived at Bethpage on Monday for a two-day scouting trip ahead of the event, which begins on Sep. 26.
Former world No. 1 Rose, who is in fine form after winning the FedEx St. Jude Championship last month, believes the days are long gone of the American team being fractured by egos and individualism, but he believes the bond of Team Europe is more “organic.”
“I think the US team have definitely bonded a lot more in recent years, and I think that they do have pockets of good friendships,” Rose told Sky Sports.
“But 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.
“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.
Rose will play in his seventh Ryder Cup(Image: Elianto/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
“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.”
The New York crowd has been a huge talking point heading into the event, with Bradley and his players planning on harnessing the energy of the home fans to their advantage.
Rose says it is all part of the challenge of winning an away Ryder Cup, and he believes “resilience” will be essential for him and his teammates.
“I think we’ve been talking about the Ryder Cup in Bethpage for probably 10 years. We’ve been anticipating it, wondering what it’s going to be like, and how intense it’s going to be,” the one-time U.S. Open champion said.
“New Yorkers are crazy, and I think they become sort of caricatures of themselves. I think they feel like they have to live up to that reputation. So, fully expect absolute chaos out there.
“But I’m also not sure that that’s necessarily bad either. There comes a point where it just becomes noise, the more there is, potentially, I’m hoping it fades into just chaos and noise, which actually might be easier than one or two very, very distracting targeted noises.
“So, we’ll see, but I’m expecting that too. I really don’t know, my point is I actually don’t know what to expect, but I think we have to make a mental commitment.
“I’m not going in unprepared by saying I don’t know what to expect. I’m going in saying, ‘I don’t know what to expect, but I’m willing to commit to not rising to anything, not taking the bait, willing to just accept and absorb and let things roll off your back.’ You need that resilience.
“I think that’s what we’re accepting, that you’re going to need resilience that week, 100 per cent. But who knows what it’s actually going to be like in person. It’s going to be wild.”
