Ryder Cup 2025: JT & Bryson as the Bash Brothers of Bethpage

Young Horn
Sep 26
4 min read

The wait is over. Friday morning at Bethpage Black marks the official start of the 2025 Ryder Cup, and the U.S. wasted no time making a statement. Captain Keegan Bradley tapped Justin Thomas and Bryson DeChambeau to lead off the opening foursomes match against Europe’s big guns, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton.

It’s a bold choice — and one that feels less like a safe handshake and more like sending out your heaviest hitters to start a bar fight.

Why JT & Bryson?

The opening slot at the Ryder Cup isn’t just about golf swings; it’s about tone. You want two guys who can take the noise of Bethpage’s New York crowd, ride it, and then deliver. Thomas has long been one of America’s emotional engines in this competition. He thrives on pressure, trash talk, and those chest-pumping, finger-wagging moments that can flip an entire session’s energy.

Bryson, on the other hand, has morphed into golf’s ultimate disruptor. Whether you love or hate him, he draws eyeballs, and his blend of power, confidence, and entertainment value makes him tailor-made for the Ryder Cup stage. Pairing him with Thomas is like mixing nitroglycerin and a lighter — volatile, explosive, but potentially spectacular.

Across the tee box, though, Rahm and Hatton aren’t exactly intimidated. Rahm has never lost a Ryder Cup foursomes match, and Hatton is as fiery as anyone on either side. Europe clearly relishes the chance to punch the Americans right back.

The Bash Brothers of Bethpage

For fans of The Mighty Ducks movies, this pairing immediately conjures up memories of the Bash Brothers — Dean Portman and Fulton Reed — the enforcers of the ice who brought brute force, swagger, and chaos in equal measure.

Bryson = Fulton Reed: He’s the power guy. The driver, the spectacle, the one who makes crowds gasp when he unleashes. Like Fulton’s slapshot, Bryson’s length is both weapon and intimidation tactic.
JT = Dean Portman: The fiery emotional spark. Smaller in stature but fueled by attitude. Portman was always ready to scrap, and Thomas channels that same never-back-down edge that ignites teammates.

Just like the Bash Brothers, these two aren’t subtle. They’re meant to energize the bench, rally the crowd, and strike fear in opponents. If they come out hot, they can electrify the morning and put the U.S. on the front foot. If they sputter, though, Europe gains the momentum and silences the New York roar.

Bethpage Black isn’t Disney ice, but the comparison fits: the Americans are leaning on raw energy to flip the narrative.

The Rest of Friday’s Morning Matchups

The U.S. lineup is no less aggressive further down the sheet:

Scottie Scheffler & Russell Henley vs. Ludvig Åberg & Matt Fitzpatrick
Collin Morikawa & Harris English vs. Rory McIlroy & Tommy Fleetwood
Xander Schauffele & Patrick Cantlay vs. Viktor Hovland & Robert MacIntyre

On paper, Europe looks formidable. McIlroy and Fleetwood are as steady a pairing as exists in golf, Rahm has become Europe’s cornerstone, and Åberg’s rise makes him one of the most feared young players in the game. For the Americans, Henley and English are unproven at this stage, which means the burden falls heavily on their superstar anchors — Scheffler, Schauffele, and Cantlay — to deliver points.

This session could very well determine the entire weekend’s tone. History shows Europe thrives in foursomes. If the U.S. can manage even a split, it keeps them alive. But if Europe dominates again, Bethpage could turn restless fast.

What the U.S. Must Do to Take Back the Cup

Win — or at least neutralize — the foursomes: The alternate-shot format has been the U.S.’s Achilles’ heel for decades. Europe’s chemistry and rhythm make them nearly unbeatable here. If America wants the Cup back, it starts with not bleeding out in the opening two days.
Feed off Bethpage, don’t fear it: Bethpage Black will be the loudest, rowdiest Ryder Cup venue in recent memory. This crowd can fuel U.S. momentum — but it can also turn hostile if things spiral. The Americans must embrace the chaos, play to the gallery, and let the energy carry them instead of rattling them.
Lean on star power: The middle of the U.S. roster can’t be asked to carry the load. Scheffler, JT, Bryson, Xander, and Cantlay must do what Rahm, Rory, and Hovland do for Europe — win points, set the tone, and lead by example.
Adapt, don’t cling: If a pairing isn’t working, Bradley needs to be ruthless in reshuffling. Depth is one of America’s advantages; use it. Don’t ride a cold team into Saturday just because it looked good on paper.
Save energy for singles: Sunday is where the Cup is won. If the U.S. can keep things close heading into singles, Bethpage becomes a weapon — and the energy can help push players over the finish line.

The Big Picture

The Ryder Cup is never just about golf. It’s about swagger, emotion, crowd noise, and momentum swings that feel more like playoff hockey than a PGA Tour stop. By throwing out Thomas and DeChambeau first, the U.S. is making a clear statement: this is going to be a fight, not a chess match.

If JT and Bryson embrace their inner Bash Brothers, bash through Rahm and Hatton, and set Bethpage on fire from the opening tee shot, the Americans may finally rewrite the script that’s plagued them for decades.

Because in the Ryder Cup, just like in The Mighty Ducks, sometimes you don’t need perfect — you need impact. And nothing makes an impact quite like the Bash Brothers.