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Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas, two of America’s greatest showmen, will lead out Team USA Friday morning at Bethpage Black. Across from them will be Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, Europe’s most dangerous duo, and arguably the most stable force in foursomes golf. It’s the kind of match that promises fireworks, but beneath the noise and excitement, there’s one glaring problem.
On the latest Fried Egg Golf podcast, hosts Andy Johnson and Brendan Porath didn’t hold back while discussing Keegan Bradley’s bold choices for this picks for the opening round of the Ryder Cup. When reacting to the pairings, especially DeChambeau and JT’s, Andy Johnson raised eyebrows with a brutally honest take — “I mean, I like the Rahm-Hatton pairing. I just don’t like JT’s driver at all. It’s why he hasn’t played well in major championships, and you can’t afford to give away holes.”
Brendan Porath echoed the uncertainty, and Johnson continued — “That being said, like Beth Page with the rough down probably pretty friendly for the driver, but I think that, you know, when you look at those two teams, I think that the Ram-Hatton pairing is just a little bit more steady.” Clearly, Johnson has a favourite and is biased towards the other pairing, but not without reason.
It’s mainly because Thomas’ driving stats this season tell a messy story. He ranks 150th on Tour in accuracy, hitting just 53.32% of fairways. For foursomes, where every wild tee shot drags your partner down too, that’s not just a red flag. Because one bad drive doesn’t just punish you, it punishes your partner, and that’s a scary start. Especially when your partner is Bryson DeChambeau, a man who launches drives beyond a mile!
Sure, Justin Thomas brings fire, fight, and a locker-room presence you can’t quantify. He’s a Ryder Cup junkie. But his form in the majors this year? Mediocre at best. A tied 36th at the Masters, missed cuts at the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open, and a tied 34th finish at the Open. That’s not the ideal résumé of someone you want to be opening for your team at Bethpage Black.
Justin Thomas wouldn’t have made it this year had it not been for his past Ryder Cup appearances. He’s been a 3-time member of Team USA and has an individual record of 7-4-2. He even has an impressive 61.5% points conversion rate, and that’s probably why Keegan Bradley had to pick him first. Add in his experience in the Presidents Cup (2017, 2019, 2022) and Walker Cup, and it’s easy to see why Bradley trusted him when the stakes went up.
It is almost time … the Friday foursomes @rydercup are set 
pic.twitter.com/zEibH7cJpP
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 25, 2025
Meanwhile, Rahm and Hatton are lethal. They’ve got chemistry, composure, and cold-blooded confidence. They played together at a LIV event in Rome two years ago, and they are part of the same team — Legion XIII. But their Ryder Cup record is equally impressive, too. Rahm has a shiny 4-0 foursomes record, with a perfect 2-0 next to Hatton. And Luke Donald didn’t hesitate putting them out first — “They know how to win. They’re a strong partnership. We’re very happy to send them out first.”
So while Keegan Bradley thinks he is sending out “fiery players”, Team Europe is countering with chemistry, control, and a pairing built for pressure. But how exactly do the captains decide the pairings?
How Justin Thomas was picked by the Captain
The Friday morning Foursomes pairings for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black have now been revealed, but the process behind those matchups is anything but simple. Captains Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald spent the early week observing practice rounds, experimenting with different groupings, and studying player dynamics to identify partnerships with the best chemistry. It’s not just about talent; it’s about finding players whose personalities and games complement each other, especially in high-pressure formats like alternate ball.
Despite fans picking up clues from practice pairings on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the final call rests solely with the captains. Each submits their lineup independently and in secret to tournament officials before the official 4 p.m. ET announcement. The captains then take turns revealing their pairings—meaning neither side knows what the other has planned until the selections go public. That’s what makes the opening session so intriguing.
The same process continues throughout the weekend. Friday afternoon’s Four-Ball pairings will be submitted by 11:40 a.m. ET, with new selections coming after each session. Saturday brings another round of Foursomes in the morning and Four-Ball in the afternoon, and finally, Sunday’s Singles matches are decided after Saturday’s final session concludes. Strategy, surprise, and adaptability are all the crucial ingredients for the Ryder Cup pairings.
The post Justin Thomas to Fall Short Against Jon Rahm & Tyrrell Hatton After Neglecting Major Weakness – Insider appeared first on EssentiallySports.
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