Xander Schauffele may have celebrated a hard-fought victory in his Saturday afternoon match at the Ryder Cup, but the overall outlook for Team USA is undeniably grim. Trailing 4.5 to 11.5 as they head into the final day, the Americans face the daunting prospect of achieving the largest comeback in Ryder Cup history if they hope to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
The reasons behind this staggering deficit are numerous, with a series of questionable strategic decisions from Team USA coming under fire. A glaring example lies in the repeated pairing of Collin Morikawa and Harris English, whose lackluster performances resulted in two crushing defeats. Fans have voiced their frustrations over these tactical missteps, but Schauffele has pinpointed a more fundamental issue contributing to the team’s struggles.
The European squad has been nothing short of spectacular, showcasing an “unbelievable” level of play that has left the Americans scrambling. Schauffele, who has contributed to 2.5 of the U.S. points thus far, acknowledged the Europeans’ dominance after his win, stating, “They are playing unbelievable golf. I think the course is set up relatively easy and they are making a lot of birdies, and we are not.” The Americans simply couldn’t keep pace, as the Europeans consistently sunk critical birdie putts, winning the Saturday fourballs decisively 3-1.
While Scottie Scheffler has struggled, he is not alone in the underperformance department. In contrast, European stars Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose have thrived under pressure, hitting crucial shots when it mattered most. Schauffele has been candid about the reality of the situation, saying, “They are beating us flat out. And I’m just happy to get a point with JJ. We are going to try and have small victories right here and little bit of red on the board is a win today.”
As Team USA gears up for an uphill battle on Sunday, they will need to adopt a strategy of taking it one match at a time to orchestrate what would be a miraculous turnaround. J.J. Spaun, who earned his first-ever Ryder Cup point during this tournament, understands the significance of every single point. Reflecting on the importance of their recent win, he remarked, “I think at this point of the tournament, any point matters. Small victories, like Xander said, and we’ve just got to carry some sort of momentum going into tomorrow.”
Spaun’s journey through this Ryder Cup has not been without its challenges. Despite an impressive 2025 season that earned him automatic qualification, he has found himself underutilized, playing only twice so far. The pressure mounted as he faced the formidable Jon Rahm, marking a notable moment when he handed the Spaniard his first-ever loss at a Ryder Cup. Although he may feel overshadowed, Spaun has maximized the opportunities presented to him.
With Sunday serving as the final chapter of this gripping competition, the rookie has one last chance to leave his mark and energize a struggling team. Time will tell if Team USA can rise to the occasion and reclaim their pride on the green, but the path ahead is fraught with challenges.
