Renowned former agent of Rory McIlroy, Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler, has expressed skepticism about Team USA’s prospects in the upcoming Ryder Cup tournament. The highly anticipated event is scheduled to unfold from September 26 to 28 on American soil, specifically at the Black Course located in Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale, New York.
In the previous Ryder Cup held in 2023 at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Team Europe emerged victorious with a remarkable 16.5-11.5 score. Rory McIlroy, who recently claimed the Masters title, played a pivotal role for the European team, accumulating four points from five matches. Noteworthy performances were also delivered by Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm, who remained unbeaten throughout the event.
This time, leadership responsibilities for the teams have been entrusted to Luke Donald from England and Keegan Bradley from the United States. Team USA aims to replicate their exceptional performance from the 2021 Ryder Cup, where they secured a historic victory by a significant margin.
The American team boasts notable talents like JJ Spaun, the US Open champion, and Scottie Scheffler, widely recognized as a standout figure in the golfing world. Scheffler notably clinched both the PGA Championship and The Open Championship titles this year.
Despite the formidable lineup of Team USA, Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler believes that the American team faces challenges in securing a third consecutive home victory. Chandler, in an interview with Belfast Live, highlighted the crowd support and the world No. 1 player, Scottie Scheffler, as the main advantages for the American side. However, he pointed out that Scheffler’s previous performance was not as impressive, recalling an emotional moment on the green.
Chandler also emphasized the strengths of Team Europe, citing factors such as consistent pairings, experience, and participation in major tournaments. He particularly praised the recent success of Tommy Fleetwood, who secured a significant win at the Tour Championship, becoming a prominent player in the golfing scene.
Fleetwood’s partnership with Rory McIlroy in the 2023 Ryder Cup proved successful, with the duo excelling in their matches. Chandler commended the personality, fortitude, and leadership within the European team, expressing doubts about the American team’s enthusiasm and chances of victory in the upcoming tournament.
