'I'm major winner who was benched at Ryder Cup - Keegan Bradley decision surprised me'

JJ Spaun was part of the Team USA losing effort at the Ryder Cup but got less time on the course than some teammates after a big decision by captain Keegan Bradley

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The 2025 Ryder Cup didn’t go as planned for the Americans at Bethpage Black in New York. Europe ended up pulling away with a win on away soil for the first time since 2012, leaving some to question U.S. captain Keegan Bradley on his decisions at the Ryder Cup.

Some of those decisions included course setup and pairings, but also J.J. Spaun and Ben Griffin being benched. Spaun, the 35-year old, didn’t get to play in either foursomes session, even though he finished second in Ryder Cup points to earn automatic qualification.

“Maybe (I was surprised) a little bit,” said Spaun on the ‘Straight Facts Homie’ podcast. “I wasn’t sure what format I would start in.

“I talked to Keegan a few weeks prior, and he was adamant about having a pretty veteran-heavy lineup going out in the first match, which was foursomes.”

At first, it had been noted that Spaun plays a different golf ball than everyone else on the team, so that's why he was left out of alternate shots. Spaun then retraced his steps, noting that it may not have been equipment based.

“So, it had nothing to do with how I was playing, had nothing to do with what equipment I played,” said Spaun. “He wanted to put guys out there first that have been in that arena, and have had success, and have the experience versus getting my feet wet in (fourball), which is probably an easier format, I think.”

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J.J. Spaun ended up grabbing two points for the United States in their 15-13 loss to Europe and the U.S. lost 3-1 in both foursomes sessions.

“I don’t know what the thought process was for Saturday’s matches,” Spaun said, “but I think Keegan didn’t want to freak out and start changing things around, just assuming, put the batting lineup out there, and eventually get things turned around.

“I thought there would be a little bit of a change, whether it was someone else – I think Cam (Young) was the only one who subbed in for the foursomes on Saturday that was different, maybe.”

Ben Griffin was also benched, and played just once before Sunday singles. Griffin and Bryson DeChambeau fell short to Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm in the Friday morning foursomes, and after the loss, Bradley decided to bench Griffin until the singles matches when he would go on to defeat Rasmus Højgaard.

Even though Griffin was benched after the loss, his caddie, Alex Ritthamel told the Quiet Please! Podcast that he wasn’t disappointed in Bradley’s decision.

“He was awesome. He was so great. It was just about the team. There was no players, caddies. Everybody, we are a team. And he was super inspirational.” said Ritthamel.