Justin Rose questions U.S. Ryder Cup approach as Bethpage looms

Justin Rose questioned the United States Ryder Cup team's approach to building cohesion ahead of the matches at Bethpage Black later this month, saying the Americans have "tried too hard" to forge friendships rather than leaning on an established team identity.

The 45-year-old Englishman, a six-time Ryder Cup participant, made the remarks earlier this month in comments picked up by Sky Sports and reiterated them as European players arrived at Bethpage for practice rounds. "I really don't think that's what being a great team is," Rose said. "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. You don't have to be having the greatest time in the world to do that."

Rose's comments come with the Ryder Cup set for Bethpage Black, where organizers and both teams expect an intense, partisan crowd. He warned teammates to prepare mentally for the atmosphere, saying New Yorkers "are crazy" and predicting "absolute chaos." Rose said the European team will focus on resilience and not "rising to anything, not taking the bait," as they try to withstand what could be a vocal home crowd.

The remarks also underscored a recurring comparison between the U.S. and European Ryder Cup programs since Europe routed the Americans in Rome two years ago. Analysts and fans have debated the reasons for that result, examining captain choices, player scheduling and the degree of team cohesion. Keegan Bradley was named U.S. captain for Bethpage, and recent weeks saw 10 of the 12 U.S. team members take part in the Procore Championship, which Scottie Scheffler won.

The U.S. lineup arrives without Bryson DeChambeau, who remains ineligible for PGA Tour events after joining LIV Golf, and without Xander Schauffele, who missed the event after his wife gave birth to their first child. Organizers have projected large daily attendance at Bethpage, with estimates of about 50,000 fans, a factor both sides say could influence momentum in match play.

Rose, who plays a majority of his golf on the PGA Tour and will compete alongside and against many of his American counterparts at Bethpage, said he did not expect to know precisely how the environment would feel until competition begins. "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," he said.

Europe's recent Ryder Cup teams have been praised for what some describe as a more organic culture and continuity of identity. U.S. critics have pointed to organizational choices after the Rome loss, including a long gap between the PGA Tour season's end and the Ryder Cup in 2023, and the scrutiny of captain Zach Johnson's selections two years ago. Supporters of Bradley's leadership point to recent steps toward team continuity and to the home-course advantage at Bethpage as potential turning points for the U.S.

Players from both sides have emphasized preparation at Bethpage, a track known for its narrow fairways, deep bunkers and penal rough. Practice rounds began Monday, though players acknowledged that simulating the expected intensity of the crowd and the exact conditions of match play is impossible until the Ryder Cup gets under way.

Rose's comments add to the pre-match narrative as Ryder Cup trash talk and psychological strategy traditionally play a role in the buildup to the biennial event. Both teams enter focused on mental preparation and the practicalities of adapting to a high-pressure environment in front of a large, partisan gallery.

Competition at Bethpage begins later this month, when officials, captains and players will discover whether home support and recent U.S. adjustments offset Europe's established team identity and recent Ryder Cup success.