US Ryder Cup training camp seems to be a win. But is there weakness?

Napa, caliph. – Patrick Cantlay did not hit balls next to the players. He hit on them.

Don’t worry. He is a professional. But there he and his personal team were late Monday afternoon, posted in the last place on the left side of the range, only meters from a fence – and about 25 yards after some in favor of his right. One member of his team said he was trying to create a corner for his driver.

Cantlay was in full grinding condition. Of all the accounts, he was all. The next morning, Bag And nine of his US Ryder Cup friends played a practice nine holes in front of PGA Tour’s Championship. On Wednesday, they played a pro-am nine holes. On Thursday and Friday, they played the opening rounds, and on Saturday and Sunday, they will hope to win. All this is planned to prepare Americans for the Ryder Cup in two weeks in Bethpage Black – or at least to prepare them better than they were two years ago. Then, only three of the 12 Americans played in the two-week lead, compared to all the dozen of their European counterparts, and the euro rolled, 16.5-11.5.

Did Java work here? For a man, the answer has been a vague hell, deep deep yes. Then again, no one will know completely until Sunday evening in Bethpage.

And this asks this question:

Is there any obstacles to play this week?

This is not meant to wash your American pride, or to be a doubt (Justin) Thomas, to say. But golf is being played in the northern course of Silverado Resort. There will be good shots. There will be DUD. They can smell bad, you know.

But the line from the end of the last Ryder Cup to this week’s process is that the more reps matter. Or, in other words, they are better than inactivity. Two years ago, nine of the Americans played at the PGA Tour tournament that ended on August 27, then did not play competitively until the Ryder Cup on September 29th.

This year’s team members talked early. Captain KEEGAN BRADLEY made it an advantage. And here they are.

Stated Scottie Scheffler: “Two years ago for Rome, we made that trip there to prepare for the Golf Course. Basically, the conclusion we came up with was that it would be good to have any competition in Ryder Cup. And it would be unusual for me to have four or five weeks rest before Masters or US, so there is no reason to do it.

Stated Collin Morikawa: “Yes, I think as you look back a few years ago, many of us came taking four weeks of rest and at the end of the day we looked back and said how to get better, didn’t we give ourselves a better chance to get there and compete?

“I know about myself that I didn’t feel like I was so prepared a few years ago, even though I did a lot of work in those four weeks. The tournament is just different and you have to be able to show up. So it’s good to have almost many here this week. Many great vibes throughout the meetings and dinners you have.”

But don’t sleep at rest.

Four years ago, the event here in Napa was played again two weeks before the Ryder Cup, held in Whistle In Wisconsin, and zero Americans played. But a European did – Ion Rahm. And everyone, but three euros played at the PD World Tour event two weeks before Ryder Cup (BMW PGA Championship).

The result? Americans dominated the Ryder Cup, 19-9.

Two years ago, it was more the same thing then. The season is long. Ryder cup is an animal. The players chose a break.

Stated Brian Harman In the days before the Ryder Cup of 2023: “Yes, many of them are relaxing. It is not enough – our bodies get some kind of beat all year. So getting to the tour championship, almost a week out of nothing, practiced a little, came here, and then just grinding in my game, just trying to get ready.

“I feel like I owe them – it’s another kind of feeling to be in a team. Like you don’t want to overdo it. You don’t want to get very mental for it, but at the same time, you really feel like that team – as a man, I want to play greatly for this team. I’m really focused on it.

“I just tried to make a low low and don’t do too much. It doesn’t make a good click for the media, I apologize, but yes, I just been heavy. Rest and grind.”

Said the chapter then Zach Johnson At the press conference after losing: “There is something to say about resting and recovering and getting your game in a position where you can go to compete. I mean, these people have won a lot of golf tournaments with weeks of rest.

“But I’m not going to facilitate the preparation of these boys. Whether it was at home or here or anywhere, I know they were working their tail to keep and return the cup home.”

Then there are the results. Not everyone is sublime.

To this end, they pride themselves on separation. This week is procore. In two weeks is the Ryder Cup. They are connected. And they are not. Scheffler said his process works like this. It is focused on the other tour. But diplomas are also in his head.

“Like when I’m home thinking about shots,” he said, “thinking about things in competition, I think diplomas are always on the back of your mind just because they are the biggest challenges.

“I think the Ryder Cup is a great challenge too also because of the pressure you feel not only playing for yourself but playing for your country, playing for your partner. It is a really delightful event and is one of the biggest experiences in golf. I’m present, I’m ready to play this week. Golf tournament. ”

At least that’s what you say at a press conference.

Thursday afternoon, we got results. After all. Four groups of Ryder Cups all followed each other in the first Tee. A volunteer below the road said the crowd was Sunday’s size, and there was some wonder what size would be Sunday.

First were Scheffer, Jj spaun AND Russell Henleyand Scheffler shot a two-nine 70-year-old, Spaun shot a 67, and Henley shot a 65. Next were Morikawa, Harris English and vice president Webb Simpsonand English and Morikawa everyone shot a 72. (Simpson shot a 74.) Third was the Cantlay group, Sam Burns and vice president Gary Woodlandand Burns shot a 71 and Cantlay shot a 72. (Woodland also shot a last 72.) were Cameron Young, Ben griffin AND Justin ThomasAnd Griffin shot a 64 and new and Thomas each shot a 72.

All the trail leader Mackezie Hugheswho fired a 63. The best of the lot, Griffin, was connected for the second. As it unfolds Thursday, there were some good things. The lower three results between Ryder cups? All the novice. But there was a Slam club. Some puzzles for lost shocks. Duds. Stinkers.

Back to the original question then:

Is there any obstacles to play this week?

With mostly everything, of course there are. When asked directly, Scheffler turned back to the thought of rest – but for someone else; He said he preferred not to have a break time. Spaun wondered about causing a bad week. But you can also rationalize it.

“You have to tweak it into one type as a week of heat and keep the competitive juices flowing,” he said. “Maybe boys have things they wanted to work before Bethpage they are probably trying this week to see how they feel in competition. I think it’s more of this against trying to win and try something, I think.”

Then there is griffin.

“I think that doesn’t do better than harm,” he said.

He then corrected himself.

“Indeed, I don’t even see him doing any harm because if we’re not playing here competing this week, it’s almost four, five weeks without playing in a tour. I know about me, I play a lot of tournaments in tours, so I like to stay in a beautiful disciplined schedule to play a competitive golf gang. sharp. “

Everyone will return on Friday.

The results of the week, however, will not be known for up to two weeks from Sunday.

“>>