Who should play for the USA at the 2027 Ryder Cup?

Liam Williams Updated: 7 hours ago

After a humiliating home defeat at the 2025 Ryder Cup, things nearly reached a new low at the 2026 Presidents Cup.

The International side, largely made up of players who in 12 months' time won't even playing on the same tour as the Americans, nearly went and achieved the impossible, all on American soil no less.

In the end, the USA's individual superiority was enough to get them over the line, but the lingering issues in the team formats remain, and all the questions from 12 months ago are being asked once again.

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It used to be that the Europeans were stronger in the team formats, with the Americans stronger in the singles, and that contrast made for fiercely contested Ryder Cups. But the Europeans have named teams similar in individual strength to the Americans of late, boasting the likes of Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood, all while maintaining their chemistry, and it's creating lopsided affairs.

The USA can no longer rely on winning on Sunday, and must find a way to get more points on the board on Friday and Saturday.

As is the case for every US captain, Furyk will have plenty of stars to pick from and some difficult decisions to make. Bryson DeChambeau's golfing future is up in the air with LIV on the brink of collapse and no immediate pathway back to the PGA Tour, all combined with a rather disappointing Ryder Cup record

Of course, lots can change in 12 months with players coming in and out of form, but we've taken a look at what the USA team might look like at Adare Manor.

1 - Scottie Scheffler

Barring injury, there's no way Scottie Scheffler doesn't board the plane to Ireland. That said, his performances in team golf are becoming increasingly alarming.

Scheffler has played six Presidents Cup matches with best bud Sam Burns and has taken just 2.5 points. Scheffler is also winless in his last eight Ryder Cup pairs matches, and one of Jim Furyk's top priorities is to ensure Scheffler is suitably platformed at Adare Manor

2 - Sam Burns

Playing the golf of his life, Sam Burns very nearly became a major winner in 2026 and perhaps wonders how he didn't. Burns has been really poor in his first two Ryder Cup outings and his Presidents Cup record also leaves plenty to be desired.

But as one of the best putters in the world, boasting a WGC-Matchplay win, Burns's Ryder Cup place should be safe.

3 - Xander Schauffele

One of the very few Americans with a positive Ryder Cup record, the USA can't afford to keep people like Xander Schauffele away from the side.

While the scrutiny on his partnership with Patrick Cantlay is fair, Schauffele's 3-3-0 record in foursomes is something most Americans can only dream of.

4 - Cameron Young

Unlucky to lose his first two matches at the 2026 Presidents Cup, Cameron Young was arguably the USA's best player across the week, and may well have found a formidable partnership in Chris Gotterup.

Young was one of the few bright spots at the 2025 Ryder Cup, and the USA team needs to be built around the 29-year-old.

5 - Chris Gotterup

There's a case to be made for telling Chris Gotterup and Cameron Young that they'll be playing all five matches at Adare Manor and to try bring home two points before Sunday's singles. The USA needs a fresh injection of life and that might be the duo to do it.

6 - Collin Morikawa

A player boasting Collin Morikawa's driving accuracy and stellar iron play ought to be an asset in team golf, though he was given no help by captain Keegan Bradley, who sent him out twice in foursomes with Harris English, only to fall to comprehensive defeats.

For whatever reason, US captains haven't been able to utilise Morikawa since he went 3-0 alongside Dustin Johnson at Whistling Straits, but given his talents, the two-time major winner needs to be on the team.

7 - Wyndham Clark

The jury has very much been out on Wyndham Clark as a team golfer ever since his 1-2-1 debut in the 2024 Presidents Cup. He went 1-1-1 at the Ryder Cup where he wasn't entirely convincing and his spikiness -- both as a person and a golfer -- makes him a divisive figure.

Nevertheless, Clark has been one of the best players in the world over the last 12 months, capturing a second US Open and, despite a 1-4-0 record at the 2026 Presidents Cup, the 32-year-old was one of the team's better performers, running into some inspired Internationals while being held back by his partners.

Still, Clark is one of the few players who seems to really want to represent his country, and his passion is no bad thing to have on side.

8 - Jackson Koivun

Was there any doubt Jackson Koivun would shine at the Presidents Cup? Not chucked into the cauldron of an away Ryder Cup, Brandt Snedeker put faith in the prodigious 21-year-old and it paid off. Koivun was not overawed by the occasion and will be better for it in 12 months' time. There's a potential partner in Justin Thomas should Furyk want to go in that direction, but Koivun seems versatile enough to play with anyone.

An unbeaten 2-0-1 at Medinah, Koivun is a near-lock for Adare Manor.

9 - JJ Spaun

Hard done by to miss out on the 2026 Presidents Cup team, JJ Spaun can remain hopeful of another Ryder Cup pick. While he didn't give the best account of himself alongside Scottie Scheffler, Spaun was superb in his second four-balls outing and then won his singles match on Sunday.

A superb ball-striker with a steady temperament, Spaun should be a worthy addition to the side.

10 - Justin Thomas

While his golf can be erratic, Justin Thomas has taken on the mantle of one of Team USA's leaders and it's a presence sorely needed. Perhaps not reliable enough to play foursomes, Thomas can be saved for four-balls where he boasts a solid 3-2-2 record and singles where he remains a perfect 4-0-0.

11 - Patrick Reed

Patrick Reed was in the running to make the 2025 team, but his indifferent form combined with the sheer strength of the US team meant 'Captain America' would miss a third straight Ryder Cup.

It's hard to believe Reed has now missed three Ryder Cups given he started 6-1-2 and looked near-unbeatable at match play, but when Jordan Spieth decided he wanted to play with his friend Justin Thomas, the formidable partnership was broken up with Reed playing With Tiger Woods, losing both four-ball matches.

Reed is a divisive character no doubt, but can the States keep ignoring players who've played so well in the format?

12 - Patrick Cantlay

Patrick Cantlay's place on the USA Ryder Cup team might not be as assured as it once was. While Cantlay is now an experienced head who boasts a strong foursomes record with Xander Schauffele, more is needed from the 34-year-old and he doesn't give off the vibe of a guaranteed point in any match.

Despite playing lots of good golf over the last year, Cantlay lacks the killer instinct needed at times, and 'Hatgate' lingers in the memory. The USA will need big characters and players in form next year, and Cantlay will hope his form is good enough to stay on the team.