Scheffler’s Ryder Cup woes deepen as Woods comparison persists

Scottie Scheffler's Ryder Cup run at Bethpage Black took another turn for the worse Friday as the world number one failed to win any of his opening-day matches in the foursomes. Scheffler and his partner, Russell Henley, were beaten 4&3 by Europe’s Ludvig Åberg and Matt Fitzpatrick in the morning session, setting a troubling tone for the United States early at Bethpage.

In the afternoon fourballs, Scheffler teamed with JJ Spaun and were defeated 3&2 by Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka, adding to the sense of a systemic struggle in the format for the top players. The results left the Americans chasing early points as the tournament moved into its second session of the day.

The losses left Scheffler with a mounting Ryder Cup record in foursomes. The setback on Friday extended a longer trend of American world-number-one holders struggling in the opening-format, with Scheffler now part of a five-match streak of top-ranked players losing in Ryder Cup foursomes. He followed in the footsteps of Tiger Woods (2010) and Dustin Johnson (2018) in that dubious club, a reminder of how the best individually can be tested when paired with partners in a format that rewards chemistry as much as raw shot-making.

Analysts have drawn parallels between Scheffler and Woods, noting that top players who front a team bid must balance personal dominance with the relational pressure of a playing partner. The debate has focused on whether the single-minded pursuit of perfection that defines Scheffler’s game translates to a format where trust and execution between two players are critical. The conversation isn’t new; Europe has long leaned on a talismanic figure to unite a strong team, from Seve Ballesteros in the 1980s to Rory McIlroy in the modern era, and the United States has yet to identify a comparable archetype.

"There’s no question he’s the leader, but there’s a difference between leading yourself and leading a pairing," said one observer, reflecting the broader discussion about how top-ranked players adapt to Ryder Cup dynamics.

Scheffler, 29, has not been flawless in the singles arena, but his track record there remains more favorable than in foursomes. He has not lost in either of his two career Ryder Cup singles matches, beating Jon Rahm as an unheralded rookie in the 2021 win at Whistling Straits before earning a half against Rahm in Rome. He insisted in the pre-tournament press conference that he did not see himself as difficult to pair with and stressed that he has had success with different partners over the years.

"I’d like to think that I’m not difficult to pair with people," Scheffler said. "I’ve had different partners over the years and have had some success. I would definitely not put myself in that category."

His performance alongside Henley in Friday’s action did little to silence critics, with opponents and analysts citing a combination of misfortune, a lack of putts dropping early, and the weight of expectation as contributing factors. Henley, who many credit as a stabilizing presence, also came under scrutiny for his role in the opener, though his own Ryder Cup debut showed the pressure surrounding any first-time pairing.

The United States, trailing on the scoreboard after the day’s sessions, turned its focus to Saturday’s fourballs and the first Saturday foursomes in the hope of a momentum shift. Keegan Bradley, the U.S. captain, said Scheffler remained in "great spirits" and would be given another chance to influence the weekend.

With the hosts fighting to narrow the gap, Scheffler and the American team face a make-or-break stretch in the next rounds. The Ryder Cup narrative this week has repeatedly returned to the challenge of translating individual greatness into team success, a test that continues to define Scheffler’s early career in this format and will shape perceptions of his leadership as a global star.

[Image credit: BBC Sport]