The ongoing struggles of the U.S. Ryder Cup team have reached a point where even forming another task force seems off the table—a telling sign that the problems run deeper than quick fixes. The confusion surrounding America’s Ryder Cup strategy isn’t new; in fact, it’s been this tangled since they left Scotland in 2014 with yet another loss.
Back then, Ted Bishop, then-president of the PGA of America and an Indiana club professional, chose Tom Watson to captain the U.S. team at Gleneagles. The outcome was disappointing, not only because the U.S. lost again but also due to Phil Mickelson’s very public and awkward criticism of Watson’s leadership. This backlash triggered the creation of a highly anticipated task force, designed to overhaul how America approached the Ryder Cup.
Phil Mickelson was optimistic when the task force wrapped up its work five months later, expressing hope that they weren’t just preparing for the 2016 matches but setting up a lasting framework for ongoing success. Since then, the U.S. has claimed victory only twice in five Ryder Cups—a modest improvement considering they had won just twice in the previous decade.
But here’s where it gets controversial: the real continuity and ownership of Ryder Cup success today belong to Europe. Europe doesn’t just participate—they dominate and define the event’s identity.
The PGA of America's Ryder Cup Task Force was disbanded in 2015. It was replaced with a Ryder Cup committee made up of three PGA Tour players and three PGA of America executives. The system rotates the immediate past captain onto the committee, for instance, Keegan Bradley took over from Zach Johnson. But even this system feels uncertain. Some voices suggest Bradley might captain again in 2027 at Adare Manor, but what happens then? Justin Thomas is already on the committee, and Jordan Spieth’s term is ending. The PGA of America could choose to scrap this approach entirely and start anew.
The one unchanging presence amid this American dysfunction is the PGA of America, which owns the Ryder Cup when played in the U.S. Despite its importance, this organization of 31,000 club professionals has little direct influence on the players outside of the PGA Championship. Don Rea Jr., the current PGA of America president, even claimed that all PGA Tour members are technically part of the PGA of America, which many view as an overreach, especially given the disconnect between the two groups.
Rea also stirred controversy months ago by comparing harsh fan reactions at Bethpage Black to what one might hear at a youth soccer game—a statement many found dismissive of the intense emotions the players face. This out-of-touch approach is sadly emblematic of the U.S. camp’s broader issues.
For Europe, the Ryder Cup runs smoothly as business as usual. For the U.S., the situation remains a disorganized headache.
Paul Azinger once helped steer the American effort in 2008, demanding the PGA of America change its outdated point system that made it harder for Americans to qualify due to the influx of global talent on the PGA Tour. Surprisingly, Azinger hasn’t been involved since that victory, suggesting a missed opportunity for leveraging valuable insight.
The roots of these problems go much deeper, all the way back to 1968 when touring pros split from PGA club professionals to form what became the modern PGA Tour. Back then, there were two main events to divvy up: the World Series of Golf, which grew into the lucrative World Golf Championships, and the Ryder Cup, then considered little more than an exhibition struggling to attract crowds.
Peter Alliss, the legendary British commentator and former player, described the 1967 Ryder Cup’s opening ceremony as attracting mere hundreds, not thousands of fans. Over time, tour players focused on financial success with the World Series of Golf, leaving the Ryder Cup lagging in prestige and support.
Had the PGA Tour taken over the Ryder Cup back then, would the Presidents Cup even exist? Would there be this ongoing divide between tour players and the PGA of America, which remains a largely separate entity involved only once a year?
Europe’s setup is very different. The European Tour owns 60 percent of Ryder Cup Europe and handles selections through a thorough process led by CEO Guy Kinnings. They have extensive input from people intimately connected to the event. In sharp contrast, the PGA Tour holds zero ownership in the Ryder Cup; their role is simply to provide players. This split has fueled disputes over revenue sharing since 1999 and remains unresolved. While the U.S. has enjoyed wins at venues like Hazeltine and Whistling Straits, they still lack a coherent, long-term strategy for sustained success.
Mickelson once believed the task force would deliver a strategy to guide the U.S. for the next decade of Ryder Cups. Instead, it devolved into a clique, and continuity crumbled, especially after Mickelson’s controversial departure to LIV Golf.
Maybe it’s time for the PGA of America to seriously consider handing over Ryder Cup management to the PGA Tour, which offers greater stability, more experience running major events, and crucially, a stronger bond with the players themselves. This might not instantly reverse America’s Ryder Cup fortunes, but it could be a vital step in the right direction.
And here’s the part most people miss: the Ryder Cup isn’t just a golf event—it’s a microcosm of larger tensions in American golf governance and identity. What do you think? Should the PGA Tour take full control, or does the PGA of America still have a meaningful role to play? Share your thoughts and spark the debate!
