J.j. Spaun Reveals Why Keegan Bradley Curiously Benched Him In Ryder Cup

Many watching nan first 2 days of nan Ryder Cup were scratching their heads. 

Why? Because J.J. Spaun was benched during Friday’s and Saturday’s foursomes matches. 

The U.S. Open champion, who besides mislaid successful a playoff astatine nan Players Championship and FedEx St. Jude Championship this year, vanished 2nd successful Ryder Cup points to gain an automatic spot connected nan team. Despite that, though, it was his first quality successful nan biennial matches—and ultimately, that was why he sat successful foursomes. 

“Maybe [I was surprised] a small bit,” Spaun said connected Trey Wingo’s “Straight Facts Homie!” podcast. “I wasn’t judge what format I would commencement in. I talked to [U.S. captain] Keegan [Bradley] a fewer weeks prior, and he was adamant astir having a beautiful veteran-heavy lineup going retired successful nan first match, which was foursomes.”

There was speculation that nan logic for Spaun’s benching was equipment-based (he was nan only Team USA personnel who plays a Srixon ball), but apparently that wasn't nan case. 

“So, it had thing to do pinch really I was playing, had thing to do pinch what instrumentality I played,” Spaun said. “He wanted to put guys retired location first that person been successful that arena, and person had success, and person nan acquisition versus getting my feet bedewed successful [fourball], which is astir apt an easier format, I think, was appropriate.”

Spaun played good successful his fourball matches, including winning connected Saturday. However, nan U.S. ended up getting romped 3–1 successful some foursome sessions, and Bradley curiously didn’t effort and shingle nan lineups up. 

“I don’t cognize what nan thought process was for Saturday’s matches,” Spaun said, “but I deliberation Keegan didn’t want to freak retired and commencement changing things around, conscionable assuming, put nan batting lineup retired there, and yet get things turned around. I thought location would beryllium a small spot of a change, whether it was personification else—I deliberation Cam [Young] was nan only 1 who subbed successful for nan foursomes connected Saturday that was different, maybe.”

But Spaun doesn’t property that determination to Team USA’s loss.

“Honestly, though, nan European squad were playing truthful good,” nan 35-year-old said. “They were putting amazing. They were shooting 8 nether par connected alternate shot, which, that’s conscionable truthful difficult to do.”