U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley’s well-attended exercise at this week’s PGA Tour Procore Championship figured to be less about results and more about the opportunity for a majority of the American squad to further bond with the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black only two weeks away. Guaranteed, the wine has flowed at dinner in the Napa Valley.
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Judging from what has transpired over the first two rounds at the Silverado Resort, whatever off-the-course good feelings have translated into some strong play—especially from the usual suspects.
There are five U.S. Ryder Cuppers among the top 20 and ties, led by Ben Griffin, a wild-card pick by Bradley who is among the current best players on tour. He shot 66 on Friday to get to 14 under and take the solo lead. Three shots behind him in a tie for second was another Ryder Cup rookie, Russell Henley, who has a win and nine other top-10s this season.
J.J. Spaun, the reigning U.S. Open champion who will play in his first Ryder Cup, was tied for fourth at nine under; World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler stood at T-13 (six-under total after a 68); and another Ryder Cup rookie, Cam Young, shot 67 to climb into a tie for 20th. Collin Morikawa was T-26, while Harris English and Justin Thomas stood at T-45.
Perhaps the player of most concern to the U.S. squad based on season-long form is Patrick Cantlay, and he is not necessarily soothing those worries despite two top-10 finishes in the FedEx Cup Playoffs (including a T-2 in the Tour Championship). Heading into his fourth Ryder Cup, the Californian barely made the cut on the one-under number, shooting 72-71.
Also in the group at T-61 was U.S. wild-card pick Sam Burns.
Only two U.S. players are missing from this week’s event—Xander Schauffele, who recently became a first-time father, and LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau.
Griffin is seeking his third victory in a breakout season in which he’s notched a total of 10 top-10s. He insisted on Friday that on the course this week the Ryder Cup is not at the forefront of his thoughts.
“I’ve been pretty focused on this golf tournament,” said the 29-year-old who made six birdies without a bogey on Friday. “Without a doubt, off the golf course, hanging out with the guys and stuff there’s been some Ryder Cup presence. But once I get on the first tee I’m thinking I’m trying to play well here.
“I’m not really trying to change too much of my mindset. Trying to hit a lot of fairways and simple stuff. You guys hear it all the time. Literally trying to give myself as many birdie looks as possible. Especially here because the fairways are so tight; you don’t know what type of lie you’re going to get in the rough. It’s very spotty in terms of the thickness of the rough, so it’s really important to kind of keep it in the fairway. This week I’m trying to literally do the same stuff I’m doing. I’m trying to stay confident, stay motivated and keep the pedal down.”
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
