Bryson DeChambeau is both a weapon and a headache for Keegan Bradley’s Team USA at the Ryder Cup.

His unique, hard-hitting brand of golf brings areas of the course into play that simply aren’t accessible for most players off the tee, but in a team event, it’s difficult to see which players he is compatible with.

But as analysts put a microscope on Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley’s teams, perhaps they are missing the woods for the trees. Bryson DeChambeau is one of the best players in the world, and he’s well-suited to Bethpage Black, which rewards distance driving.

With that in mind, six-time PGA Tour winner Tony Finau has picked out a key area for Bradley to utilise DeChambeau to get the best out of his skillset.

Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images

Bryson DeChambeau needs to tee off first at the Ryder Cup, says Tony Finau

Bethpage Black presents one of the most challenging rounds of golf in the world, but there are opportunities off the tee for players who are willing to take risks. No one represents risk-taking off the tee like DeChambeau.

He memorably was the only player to drive over the lake at the sixth hole of the Arnold Palmer three years ago.

Finau broke down each of the 18 holes at Bethpage on the Straight Facts Homie! podcast, and told the two-time major winner what he must do off the first tee.

Analysing the first hole, he said, “It’s a dogleg right, and this is driver for everybody. Everybody’s going to be sending a driver up towards this green. And to me, it’s a crime if we don’t send out Bryson first and let him send this tee shot at the green.

“It plays downhill about 20 yards, and it doglegs, so to the front edge is only about 350, something like that to the front edge, which Bryson is very capable of hitting.

“But you can see everyone hitting driver. You’re going to see a lot of birdies right out of the gate on number one. It’s a short hole, guys are going to be chipping into this green, so right out of the gate, you’re going to see action.”

A quick start is crucial for Bradley’s Team USA at this year’s Ryder Cup. They fell in an early 4-0 hole two years ago in Rome, which was the best start for Team Europe in the event’s storied history.

The Ryder Cup fans could turn on America if they get off to a slow start. If DeChambeau can find the green on the first hole, that would help settle the nerves and get the crowd behind the hosts.

Bryson DeChambeau’s Ryder Cup record

DeChambeau has teed off at two Ryder Cups for Team USA, and has a 2-3-1 record. The concerns about DeChambeau’s foursomes compatibility are well-founded by the numbers.

He has played alongside the greatest of all time, Tiger Woods, and another all-time great, Phil Mickelson, in his two foursomes outings. DeChambeau lost on both occasions, and was sidelined for the format in 2021.

In fourball, he has a better record, having played with Scottie Scheffler twice. He has a 1-0-1 record in three matches.

The American’s use of technology presents a significant issue for Friday at the Ryder Cup. He hits so hard that DeChambeau is inventing a new ball to bring into 2026. Anyone paired with him will have to adapt to a completely different ball.

While sending DeChambeau out first on Friday would give Team USA an immediate boost with a good opening drive, the compatibility problems he presents means he could miss Friday’s action altogether.