 Welcome to the 43rd Ryder Cup here at Whistling Straits. We are joined by Justin Thomas. Justin, welcome to your second Ryder Cup, first here in the United States. Let's go back three years to Paris. You had a terrific record. But what did you learn or experience there that you weren't counting on at that point you were rookie? But what happened might have happened there that surprised you about being part of a Ryder Cup team? Probably, I mean, I knew it was going to be a special week and we're all going to be together as a team, but just the brotherhood, the camaraderie. It's, I mean, the moments in time spent in that team room, it's hard to explain. It's, you know, even nights like last night, just all getting together, you know, you'd think that all of us are best friends the entire year. We hang out. We all live in the same place and it's just a lot of fun. I mean, it's great for all the girlfriends and wives to catch up and it's great for all the players, especially, you know, with tour championship being a couple of weeks ago, being able to catch up from what they've been doing the last couple of weeks, what they've been up to. So I don't know. I mean, France was obviously the outcome was not anything like we wanted, but I'm sure everybody, even the guys that had been there, I mean, it's just like we play a stroke play tournament. You hope to learn from any experience you have. And, you know, I feel like I tried to learn from how to handle my emotions and adrenaline and everything like that. That'll hopefully be helpful this week. Okay, thank you. Let's start right here at number eight. Go ahead, sir. Hey, Justin, you're an obvious candidate to be one of the playing leaders on Team USA because of your experience and your success. I'm curious if you agree with that, if you feel like that's a responsibility you have. And if yes, what does that mean to you? What kind of things do you do as a leader? I mean, my experience isn't really there. I mean, I've only played one Ryder Cup. I mean, I've been fortunate to, you know, play in a lot of events and have some success in the individual events I played. But in terms of a Ryder Cup, I mean, this is my first one in the States. You know, I'm looking to the captains. I'm looking to, you know, Jordan, Brooks, DJ, the guys that have played in the Ryder Cup in the States, if I have any questions or anything like that. But I mean, my role, I'm looking at it on this team is whatever it needs to be. I mean, I will help the rookies or help the first timers if they need it, if they want it. I will, you know, I'm still going to be myself. I'm still going to be sarcastic. I'm still going to have fun. I'm still going to needle people. I mean, that's just who I am. And I mean, at the end of the day, my role on this team is just to try to, just to be relaxed and go out and get a point whenever I'm, whenever strict wants me to go play. And whatever they need from me, whatever they don't need from me, you know, if I play five, if I play one, I'm just going to try to get as many points as I can and try to make the week as enjoyable as I can for everybody on the team. Thanks. Over here on your left, Jeff Babinow, 19. Justin, you've accomplished a lot of things on a lot of different stages. What did playing so well in Paris do for you, confidence-wise? I mean, it did a lot. I would have preferred to go on five and also win the cup, but it did a lot for me just to know that Fuhrich, you know, Captain Fuhrich had the confidence in me to play me that much. And to put me out first in singles was, was probably one of the, you know, the best honors that I've ever received. I mean, without him, if he doesn't know that or if he does, I mean, it just was, it was really cool. And I don't know. I mean, I took a lot from it, but like I said, you know, it's a team event. And my, what I did in France is irrelevant because we didn't get it done as a team. And like I said, I would, I'd gladly go on five this week if that meant that we brought the cup back on our soil. Marc Kanfor. Hey, Justin. Just kind of curious from your experience in France, what do you feel like some of the secrets to success are as a rookie in this competition? Obviously you've got six here and, you know, can that be an advantage because everybody's kind of wide eyed and stoked or can it be a disadvantage because you haven't experienced that first tee and that kind of thing? Well, I think when you look at, you know, your rookies are, you know, a two-time major champion and Colin Warakawa or a FedEx Cup champion and Patrick Cantlay and a gold medalist and Xander Schoffley, you know, when you're looking at guys like that, that are your rookies, that says a lot about your team. And I think at the end of the day, you can dive as deep as you want into the pairings, into who's sitting, who's playing, but at the end of the day, whatever team plays the best is gonna win. We have 12 unbelievable players. They have 12 unbelievable players. And it's really just who's gonna go out there and get it and who's gonna go out and execute the best. And I mean, I've watched many Ryder Cups on TV and it's who makes the putts, who flips those matches, who grinds out the haves and who gets it done. And I have, I mean, I go to war with these 11 other guys and our captains like I'm gonna do this week and I have all the faith in the world and all the rookies and I think their experience proves that they are beyond rookies, but it's gonna be a fun week. It was a fun week for me in France just in terms of the atmosphere and experience at all. And I'm sure the fact that it's on US soil will help those nerves a little bit. Let's go to 20 and then 21 with Phil. Dr. Johnson, when you said that last night you would have thought you guys were all best friends, I guess the question is, are you all best friends and why is it important that you at least feel that way? Yeah, I mean, I don't know. It just, it feels not that we aren't friends off the course. It's just, it's just different, you know? It's, it's, you're never, not that we're forced to be in the same room, but it's like we're obviously all eating in the team room and we're all together, you know? We're all sitting watching the game together. We're playing ping pong. We're, we're signing the million flags together that we have to sign. We're doing all these things that we just don't have those opportunities in individual events, you know? Everyone has their own schedule. They're practice playing at different times, arriving at different times. And, you know, it's when we get together in normal events, you know, we have that same relationship. It's just we're not all of us are together at one time. The opportunity just doesn't present itself. And yeah, we are. I mean, it's obviously it's not like all 12 of us are just sitting, you know, cross-legged around a circle on the floor just talking about life. But it's, we're all in our, just kind of bopping around the room and catching up here and there. And it's, it's been fun. Thanks. Phil? Yeah, Justin, you're obviously having to wear the Ralph Lauren US team uniform this week. Just wondering how was that sort of handled in the background? Were there any problems, any discussions? Is there any kind of distraction for you at all this week? My priorities are a lot more than the clothes that I'm wearing this week. It's about trying to get a point for Team USA and earn as many as I can. And now it was, it was never even a discussion till just now. Let's go over to, let's go over to number seven. Hey, Justin, knowing you're close with Tiger, Strikers made it clear that even though he's not here, he's still a part of the team. Just curious if you've spoken to him and what his message has been for you guys this week? Yeah, I mean, I got together with him a couple of times last week. And I mean, more so just, you know, going over to see how he's doing as a friend more than as a vice captain or if he's even still considered that, I don't know. But yeah, I mean, he's so into it. He obviously wants the best for our team. He wants the best for all of us. And it means a lot to him. I think people would be, I mean, they obviously saw it and y'all saw it in Australia, how much it meant to him. But just the amount of work and the amount of hours he's willing to spend to make sure that he feels like the team is prepared and is ready to go as possible is pretty cool. But at the end of the day, he also understands that, you know, we're 12 of the best players in the world and we know how to play golf and sometimes less is more. So I think he's great at balancing that out. But it was more, I'm here if you need me kind of thing. Number nine, back right for you. Hey, JT, I'm just curious, what do you think of the qualities that make for a good Ryder Cup teammate or playing partner? It's a good question. I think, I mean, the format's very dependent. It's, you know, four balls, obviously a lot easier. You're playing your own ball. You, I mean, realistically, don't even have to talk to your partner. You just kind of do your own thing and it's a lot easier to get in the rhythm. But, you know, four sims, I think it's pretty important to put two personalities together, two friends together, two guys that get along. Maybe their games compliment each other. But it's just, I mean, for me, at least what I've noticed is, I mean, I've been fortunate to play, you know, my record is obviously has been good in team events, but you look at my partners in Jordan, Ricky and Tiger. I mean, I've been very fortunate to have some really good partners. And that's, that's like the number one rule that Catties will tell you of having a good Cattie career is have a good player. And it's, it's just one of those things. I mean, we have such a deep, good team that it's not like anybody is a weak link on our team. And it's just about getting the energy similar, I would say, and two guys that want to play together, two guys that want to go to battle out there for each other, that would take a bullet for each other. And I think we have a team, team room that's full of that. And I think that's what makes it, makes it exciting for these pairings because there's so many options. Let's go to 26, please, Dan. Hey, Justin. The Ryder Cup could have likely been played last year, but that would have meant without fans. What does it mean to have the fans here this week and what role did they play in this event? They play a huge role. Like I said, I haven't experienced one on US soil, but I'm very excited to. And I think all of us partook in a little bit of a, I guess a poll last year on how we would want, if the Ryder Cup was to happen, how we would want it, would it be with, you know, would we rather play it with no fans? Would you rather play it with half fans or just cancel it? And my number one answer was play it with full fans or nothing else. And I mean, for, it's a huge advantage to play in front of your home crowd. And it's also, it makes the event so special. I mean, it would have been a shame to play this without fans or even with very, very limited fans. I mean, this is one of the biggest sporting events in the world and it's a huge deal for the PGA. It's a big deal for us. And, you know, I think they did the right thing and pushing it back here to make sure that not only us players, but everybody could experience this for what it's worth. 23. Justin, how stoked are you to potentially again, you know, reunite with, you know, Jordan in a pairing and if something were to prompt captain Stricker to have to break that up, would you be receptive to that idea? I'm receptive for whatever is best for the team. I, if it means that Jordan and I play every match together, if it means that we split up, I'm, everybody is on board with what is best for the team. And I think that's what is most important. You know, you're gonna, that's the thing is, yeah, on paper, it's pretty easy to just kind of put matches out and you got, all right, we got these teams, we got these four teams, we got these four teams, but things change, you know, guys, maybe something happens, they maybe tweak something or they just aren't playing good or they're tired or just one guy wants to go or whatever it might be. I mean, things change. And I think that's something that, that strict has the ability to do and he's such a great captain that he's able to adapt on the run. But I'm very excited to have the opportunity to play with Jordan because he's obviously a great buddy of mine and we get along so well, but I think we understand each other's games well enough to where we know when we're needed, when we're not needed and pretty much just stay out of each other's way because we're both, you know, pretty good players and hopefully can go get some points for us this week. Okay, we're gonna wrap it up here at number five. You mentioned how nervous and how nerve-wracking that first tee can be. Curious, like, when the nerves hit you. Is it hit you when you reach the tee, when you're walking to the tee, when you're warming up? When does it actually arrive? For me, it was walking to the tee. I mean, France had just an absolutely absurd setup there on the first tee and there was a pretty big bridge. I think that kind of went from the chipping green that would go over, that would come kind of right down to the left of the first tee and walk on. And I mean, Jordan was great with me because it being my first match and him playing a couple, he'd been in my shoes before and he probably knew the things I was feeling. And I mean, I remember it like it was yesterday, we were walking across the bridge and it was four of all the first match. And we talked about, I mean, four of all is pretty kind of lenient on who goes first, who doesn't. But he was just like, do you wanna go first or me? And I just was like, I'm going. And he's like, you got it. You know, he understood that. And he's like, you need to do what you're comfortable in in this moment. And he knew it was gonna take a couple holes for me to settle in. And you know, I rode my horse till I finally got comfortable but it's a bizarre feeling. It's hard to explain, but I'm pretty excited to experience it again in a couple of days. Justin, thanks for spending some time with us. Enjoy your day here. Thanks. Jordan Spieth, thank you sir for coming and spending some time with us. Welcome to your fourth career rider cup. It's been since 2015, you 17 under par runner up. What are your recollections of that week? And did that give you comfort as you prepared to come here and represent the United States again? You know, I was riding a nice momentum wave at that point in time and where everything was going right. I remember, you know, this 18th green is pretty special to me. I remember holding a bunker shot, maybe my ninth hole Friday, you know, foot kind of outside the bunker, like a tough little shot. And then on the 72nd hole that was, you know, I didn't didn't accomplish what I set out to that day. It was difficult starting behind in the way Jason played, but I became world number one on that green. So that was a lifelong dream of mine. So a very special, you know, place that I'll always remember that moment. I wasn't fully aware of it at the time. I'm pretty sure that it was gonna happen. And then I was told, I think, and it was here, it was right over there, wherever the interview station was that that was the case. So yeah, I love the golf course, the setup of it. It's beautiful. It's on the lake, but you got to control the ball in the wind. You've got to hit kind of different shots off tees. And then if you position the ball well, you know, you have these green complexes that are kind of, there's not a ton of slope, but they're subtle. So you can actually feed the ball into whole locations. It should be a really exciting match play course because you can get into trouble, but you can also birdie just about every single hole with the right shot. It's tough and fair. And then if we see it in some colder or windier conditions, it could be a unique test as well. So excited to be back here. I've said it before, if it were held last year, I'm not sure if I would have been on that team. And so I felt like I lucked out a little bit in that situation, but been pretty aware that I was gonna be here for the last month or so. Felt pretty good after the open championship of my chances and that was a huge goal of mine for this season and a lofty one starting the year out. So I just excited to get back out and experience the Ryder Cup again. All right, let's hit the floor here. Start with Doug number 20. Jordan, you and Patrick have been the most frequent partnership in a Ryder Cup. I don't know if you're aware of that or not, but does that surprise you? And is that possibly one of the maybe problems that has been affected the U.S. that there hasn't been over all the years more frequent partnerships finding a recipe and sticking with it? I'd have thought maybe Bubba and Webb, but yeah, it's interesting. I don't necessarily think so. I think especially with this team, with the amount of first time Ryder Cup players, it's hard to call guys rookies here given the experience they have and on the world's biggest stage in golf. So I don't really like using that term for these guys, but it's a wave where I was talking with Justin about it. We've known everyone on this team since grade school except for Dustin and Tony. And I mean, that's pretty special. So you have a camaraderie. It's kind of more of like a really light setting. We've known it, guys have known each other for a long time. And so I think that that statistic to answer your question will probably start to start to not be the case going forward. I think you'll start to see some pairings that guys find a lot of success in and continue for a number of years given the average age and the caliber of players that are on this team. Go across to number four, Mark. Hey, how you doing, Jordan? I just, with regard to Lee Westwood and Sergio, two of their veterans, what's your level of respect for what these guys have done over the long amount of time in this competition? You being here with your four, I think these guys are having played so many. I'm just kind of curious what your level of respect is for what they've done. Yeah, I don't know their stats. Obviously they've won nine of the last 12 Ryder Cups, but I don't know individually. Clearly they've had a lot of success, but first off, to be able to play on the amount of teams they have year in and year out shows the consistency of high level play that they're able to have. And then I played Sergio in 2016 in a match with Patrick versus Sergio and Rafa. And it was a good alternate shot match. Went back and forth and we had a lead that squandered and then Patrick made a nice four footer to tie, five footer to tie the match on the 18. So it was a good match. They're just really good players and they very much are very proud of where they come from. And it shows in this event via what I've seen on TV prior to playing and then playing against them on team. So the fact that they've both been playing the caliber of golf they've been playing this year to make this team with the experience they have makes them very dangerous. And you know, I mean, you step on the first tee and you know you're gonna play two of the best players in the world, play against two of the best players in the world regardless. And on Sunday, you know, a match against one of the best players in the world with a little, they have extra incentive, we have extra incentive. So it's probably very helpful for them to have them playing really well and the experience. But I'm pretty excited about the idea that we've got youth and fire kind of with the guys in our locker room. Let's go 13 and then seven, 13, right? Jordan, way back here. I know you don't like to use the term or refer to them as rookies on the team but if any of them did come up to you this week and ask you to kind of explain the atmosphere on the first tee or how to handle that pressure, I guess. What would you tell them? Well, I've kind of have to a couple of the guys and I've asked some of the assistants and even some of the other players just so that I was kind of on the same page but I asked them kind of what it feels like to in the middle of a match, you know, to them. What do you compare it to? And most everybody has said it feels like you're in contention in a big tournament or a major championship, you know, each match and to, so what I would say is, one, it's more of the adrenaline rush than the nerves. Like it's more of an exciting version of that than it is a nervy version of that and embrace that because, you know, you don't really get that opportunity but once every, you know, a couple of years and then two, you know, given that, you get to learn a lot from this event. You learn what you do well but then like this tournament has propelled me into really good seasons, the next seasons after I've played given you get that kind of experience all, I mean, how many, you know, maybe it takes two or three years if you're playing really well to have four or five times you're in contention in a major but you get to do it, you know, three, four or five times this week. So embrace that, you know, and again, it's more of an adrenaline rush than it is a nervy feeling but that's what it's compared to, in my opinion. Seven? Granted, we're playing next to a lake and not an ocean and the rough won't be super long this week but visually there are some similarities between this and some courses overseas and I'm just curious, you mentioned having to flight it in the wind and kind of using some slopes. Where do you put this course on the sort of continuum from, I don't know, Hazelteen or Valhalla is one end of the spectrum and like a proper, you know, like an open championship layout is the other, where does it rank? Yeah, it's an American links, isn't it? It's played from the air though. It's, you're not bouncing balls up to these greens. It's played from the air but you also have to, you also have to hit shots versus driving range shots. You have uneven lies that you have to work maybe against them or with them, hold wins, ride wins. So it's, I think it's an American links. I don't think that, I think that, I mean we had Americans finish one too at the open championship this year. I don't really think that it makes that much of a difference on the style of course. I think, you know, our team, our captains and the vice captains are trying to, you know, figure out ways that maybe fit the players specifically on our team as far as rough cuts and fairway cuts, where they are in green speeds and firmness and that kind of stuff. But, you know, it's an aerial link so it's, you still have to play very similar golf to what we experience on the PGA Tour for the most part. Back here, number 25. Jordan, what benefit, if any, do you think that the whole team coming here ahead of time, what was the benefit of that? And secondly, who's the best ping pong player on this team? I was curious ahead of time to be honest, you know, about, you know, how it would be and I thought it was extremely beneficial. I thought the commitment of guys to get up here was cool and then it was very light. We were messing around. We were, you know, we were hitting shots. We weren't really like chipping and putting to all the pins. It was more, let's have some fun and play a match with each other and just kind of see, you know, get our feet on the ground, see the grandstand, see the setting ahead of time so that when we arrive today, you know, you're not kind of taken back. You've already been here, feels just a, just a, you know, that little bit more comfortable. I don't, we haven't, you know, we've only been here one night. I think everybody was kind of getting settled. I think Bryson and Burger were the only two that played and I think Burger bested Bryson. I don't know how it ended up for the night but I think he got him at least the first two matches. All right, we have room for a couple more. Number eight. Jordan over here. Sorry. There, sorry. The last few times, Strikker has spoken to the media. He's hit the point that his goal is to out-prepare. Preparation, preparation, that seems to be the key word. He is your fourth captain. Have you been impressed with that element of his captaincy and have you, do you feel that what he's saying is what he's doing in terms of this hardcore preparation? Yeah, it sure seems that way at this point. Yeah, I mean, for, again, for having one practice session and being here half a day, I did a couple hours. Some of us came out here for a little bit yesterday. For them, for every meeting that we've had and everything we've talked about, it seems, wow, these guys, you know, we didn't even need to have a practice round and they've got a lot of it figured out. So, you know, I think it's a, Strik would tell you it's a team effort with his vice captains and there's a lot of experience on that board for us. And, you know, so we go out there and try and hit the shots and wherever they put us, now often they put us there. You know, we're trusting in them that it's at our best interest, but they're also very open to this team to voicing their opinion to them. There's no, you know, ego with Strik. He's very much, he'll listen to anybody about anything if you're comfortable in a setting, if you're not, he's made that, he's made the rest of the team feel that way ahead of time. So, certainly I think things can adjust, but as far as how prepared you can be on Tuesday for a Friday start, I would say it's probably the most that I've seen in the four cups. Okay, we're gonna put a wrap on it with number nine. Back right again. Being one of the guys who've done this a few times, what are your general feelings on having a set plan, you're playing this time with this person, here's kind of mapping it out versus deviating from that or adjusting on the fly, how do you kind of feel about those things? I've not been in a setting where there's been an adjust on the fly. So I'm not maybe the right person to ask that question to. I've started in the same pairing, I've finished in each of the cups. Certainly there's adjustments to be made. I think there's, you know, that's hard for me to speak to. That's really what the captains and the vice captain's job is, where do we react and where do we keep our game plan? And so it's hard, again, for me, I've just assumed I'm gonna go out, try and win that first point and roll from there. And it's worked the last few and I don't see why that should change from my point of view and I think it's really just, that's more of how they can speak to it. But I've not, at President's Cups, I've mixed and matched throughout a tournament but not in a Ryder Cup. Be comfortable if it was in between matches, whatever, we're gonna switch things up on the original plan and do this. Sure, I figure they've, while we were playing they had a reason for it and whether it's statistics to back it up or it's feel off of watching what's been going down because you only know what's going down in your group. So yeah, I mean, you gotta be prepared to play them all but expect to be watching as well and trusting they want people rested for Sunday. So, you know, we know the Euros typically have a different strategy. They're gonna play probably four or five guys, five matches regardless and some of the other guys will probably play, you know, two or three. And you expect to see the same guys out that we've seen for a number of years now five times and that's probably, we've got a lot of depth and well, both teams have a lot of depth but I think we're gonna rely on the youth and our depth to potentially, you know, strategize a bit. Jordan, thanks for your time. Enjoy your day. We are pleased to be joined by Bryson de Chambot. Bryson, welcome to your second Ryder Cup. You've represented your country twice previously once in the President's Cup and once in our Ryder Cup in Paris. This will be your first, let's say, home match. How much are you looking forward to being out there with the majority of fans that are on your side this time? Oh, it's gonna be fun. I mean, every team event I played in, it's been out of the state. So being here for the first time, I guess, you could say, is an exciting opportunity. It's gonna be fun to see what we can do and we're all at the crowd in the right way and get us behind our backs and moving us in the direction that we all wanna be in, which is taking home that cup. All right, let's hit the floor for some questions here for Bryson. There was a... Number 20. Sorry, I've waited to get a call on there, sorry. There was a Bryson story in one of the magazines about you wrecking your hands as you're getting ready for the long drive and I think it led to a perception how much you're concentrating on this or the other. How did the two mesh? And did anyone ever question the idea of doing this right after a Ryder Cup? So when I had had some blisters on my hands and wrecked my hands, that was before the FedEx had playoffs. That was that Friday before, that is when it happened. And the story came out later after, because I was talking about it and how badly my hands hurt after that because of just how much effort I was putting into it. And I played pretty well during the FedEx Cup playoffs. You know, just wished my putting and wedging was a little bit better. And leading up into this event, I've put full force focus into this event and I think part of hitting it far is some of why I'm so successful and how I could utilize my length on this golf course to potential advantage. As well as, you know, I've been working on my wedging and putting nonstop as well, thinking about how to roll it better, thinking about how to control my distance is better with this new speed. So it's definitely a delicate balance, but one that I'm strictly advised pretty well on to do my absolute best in the Ryder Cup. Where is your speed right now compared with, let's say, middle of the season? It's faster. It's definitely faster. I would say hopefully I can get out on the golf course mile an hour ball speed with a 45 inch driver. That'd be really nice. Again, there's gonna be certain holes. That's a huge advantage on. 10, six, five, one, two, you name it. There's a whole list of holes where it's gonna be huge advantage, I hope, if I'm hitting it in the fairway. All right, back right number seven. Another sort of long drive question. You've told us about how you've been hesitant to like fully let it rip in a PGA Tour event because stroke play, with match play where if you hit a bad one it's just one hole. Do you think you'll do the kind of wind up hole thing this week? Yeah, I mean there's certainly opportunities where that potentially could happen. If you watched the match with Phil, Tom Brady, Aaron and I, there's a couple holes where I got an extra shot and I was able to go at it. And I got to like 204 ball speed on that, which was really cool. So hopefully it's a little colder here, but hopefully I can get over 200 mile an hour. That'd be pretty sweet to see if they have those stats out there this week. All right, let's go over to number six. Again on the right. Yeah, Bryson, this is the first time you've talked to kind of the open print media in a little while. And I was just wondering, you know, what has gone into that calculation and that decision making from your end? I think this is a team event. I'm focused on helping Team USA to a victory and that's honestly the reason why I'm here. Let's go to Steve on 22 over here on your left. Bryson, how important was the reconnaissance trip here and what happened between you and Berger last night? Nice, way to go, Daniel, whoever leaked that. No, okay, going back to the reconnaissance, it was a lot of fun seeing the team here. A lot of camaraderie. We came together I think as a team really nicely during those two days and coming here this week, it felt like we're prepared already. We're like ready to go already, which is cool. That is something that we don't get very often, I think in rider cups, going to practice in early. So just having that comfort level, that extra level of comfort of knowing the golf course already, not feeling like I have to go practice and play every day and feeling rested going into this on Friday is gonna be really nice. And then yeah, I lost in Ping Pong, which kind of stinks to Daniel. He beat me, you know, there are obviously excuses I could make, but I won't, so I'm pretty sour about it. I'm gonna get him back. We're gonna go to Michael on three. There you go. Foursome's an alternate shot. You know, your style of play on the outside looking in, a lot of people say you would only be a great four ball player. If you were gonna sell yourself for Foursome's, how would you do that? And are you expecting or hoping to play in Foursome's an alternate shot? Well, I'd say first off, I feel like I'm a player that can adapt to anything if I have to. And I feel like there are certain players on our team that can mesh really, really well with my game. And you guys could probably figure that out, but there are certain players that will be a nice fit to the puzzle if you would like to say that. And I could comfortably say that I have no issue playing either format. I think best ball has its benefits to my style of play and alternate shot with the right person can be pretty deadly. All right, Mark on four, I believe four. Bryce, I'm just kind of curious with looking at the European side, what's your impression of what some of the veterans like Lee, Westwood and Sergio have done in this competition? I'm sure you're probably aware of the records are pretty good and they've played a lot of them. Obviously you just went up against Lee early back in March. What's your level of respect for what those guys have done? I have a tremendous level of respect of the European team. They've obviously done incredible over the last couple of decades and we should not take it lightly. They know what to do. They know how to play and they know how to grind it out. I think they may have a little bit more experience in match play situations growing up. I think they played it a little bit more. But again, as we look at it, we have an amazing team that has an opportunity to do something special here this week. The team that's been put together is one of the best. And going up against veterans like Sergio and Lee, even Rory now, I would say he's awesome. It's gonna be a difficult task, but one that I think with the crowd behind us and having the golf course the way it is could definitely be done. Gary over here on your left number 24. Bryson, will you hit driver on 14 holes and what are the landing areas like at 325 yards? I don't know if I'll let driver on all 14 of them depending on the wind. I think there are numerous amounts of holes that are super beneficial to me, a hitting driver. I think five is a great example if it's the right wind. You know, I could pretty much go right at the flag, which is cool. It was here in the practice session and I had like 120 yards in to that green. You know, where guys are gonna be hitting it over the left maybe and having a three-wood or hybrid in. Up near some of the landing areas, if I'm flying at 320, 330, it gets tight in certain areas. So I probably will be hitting three-wood or hybrid off of certain holes depending on the wind for sure. Number, what was it? Number eight. Hey Bryson, I've followed you on the course a lot in the last month or so and there's been times when I thought the fan behavior was particularly cruel. And again, it may only be one percent of fans or something like that. But I wanted to ask you, you spent a lifetime, or a professional lifetime playing in front of fans. So you probably have better armor than most people would, but is there any part of you that feels hurt at what's happened lately? I mean, no matter what, we're all humans at the end of the day. And I think there's obviously a level of, I guess you could say, control that any human will ever have. And you can have a lot of armor and you can protect yourself with people around you and all that. Sure, there are times where it's not comfortable, but there's also times where it fuels me. And I think this week's gonna be an amazing example of it and it's gonna be fun to be able to get the crowd behind us and pump them up and show them what I can hopefully do and what we can do as a team more importantly. I'm not gonna make this about me again. This is about a team event. I've got a brass chest. I've taken a lot of heat, but I'm okay with it and I understand I'm in the place where I'm at and it's gonna be that way. Moving forward and I recognize that all I'm gonna do is my absolute best to show people who I truly am and whatever people think about me is not important. It's about the team this week. It's about riling us all up and getting that rider cut back here on US home soil. Back left number 25. Bryson, have you made efforts to end the feud with Brooks and if so, how's that gone? Again, a lot of this social media stuff has definitely been driven by a lot of external factors, not necessarily us too, but we had a great, we had some great conversations to our championship week when we had dinner and then this week as well. I had dinner, sat down at dinner with him last night and it was fine and I think there may be something fun coming up here, moving forward, but we won't speak too much more on that. Number five, Bryson, maybe related a little to the previous question there. You've got a, as you know, a controversial reputation. Do you see this as an opportunity if things go well for you and your team to change the perception of you as a player and as a person? Look, I'm not trying to change anybody's perception. All I'm trying to do is showcase what I can do for the game of golf and whether people like it or not, that's their interpretation of it. And so for me, again, I'm gonna keep providing people with the best entertainment I possibly can and some people may not like it, some people love it. Again, I'm now doing stuff on TikTok and Instagram and YouTube is trying to do things a little different because I wanna show people who I actually am and I think it's cool when they get to see behind the scenes a little bit, see what I do during my daily life. It kinda opens it up to like, oh, whoa, this isn't just this person because of what people think of me out on the golf course. This is somebody, this is actually human being. So I think at the end of the day, it's not about changing anybody's perception. Now here it's about getting the crowd behind us and allowing us to, I guess you could say, rile us up to win the cup. But if you deliver, excuse me, four or five points for the American team, do you expect you're gonna get less of the grief that some fans have been giving you? Hey, look, I'm gonna try and get as many points as I can and I think that yeah, that potentially could change it for sure. There's always gonna be people that are saying things no matter what it is. Even if I do something, if I make a hole in one on every single hole out here, there's always gonna be people saying something. So I'm not worried about it. I still love and respect them. I understand they have their opinions and whatnot and I respect those opinions. I see their points of view. But for me, again, taking it back and looking back, this isn't about me. This is about the team going and winning the Ryder Cup. Thanks. We're gonna wrap it up here with Jeff on 19. Thanks, Scotty. Can you? Come on up here? Okay. No, come on. Bryce, I was gonna ask you one about, Scotty, you guys are going out and practice today. How far back would you go with him as far as relationship-wise and what are your thoughts on his game? I'll say in college. He was a Texas and we played a little bit, didn't we, Scotty? Just a few events, a lot of amateur tournaments and a lot of US amateurs. And we never really, I guess you say practiced a lot together whatnot, but we always knew how good each other were. You know, we always worked hard and I saw his game. It was unbelievable. Growing up, he won the US Junior Amateur. I saw that and it's just like, man, this kid's a stud. And as time has gone on, he's just gotten better and better and better. And his wedge game and putting is incredible. It's with the best of him and his long iron game is incredible and is driving solid too. He's an all-around player and I expect nothing but the best from him in the future years. He's gonna win a lot of tournaments and it's gonna be fun to watch him see what he can do out on tour. Bryson, thanks for finding us. Enjoy your day here at Whistling Straits. We are joined by Scotty Scheffler. Scotty, welcome to your first career Ryder Cup. It's been two weeks since you were named to this team, give or take. Is that enough time for it to sink in and would you use in those two weeks, would you really prepare on to be here both mentally and on the golf course? Yeah, I would say to prepare mentally, I took a few days off after the playoffs and the long season that we had, I was a little bit worn out so I had to take a little bit of time but it was nice getting that phone call and having some good motivation to go out and practice again. My year didn't finish off how I hoped that it would. And so to have an opportunity to come here and represent our country and play well is really exciting. And I mean, I just prepared like I would any other major golf tournament. Nothing crazy, just my usual prep. Okay, let's hit the floor. Mark, number four. Hey, Scotty. I'm just curious with Bryson just here a minute ago. Obviously, you know he's been a bit of a polarizing figure out here and you've known him longer than some of the guys on the team. What's your impression of how he's been treated kind of publicly on the outside and the perceptions that are out there? And yeah. Yeah, I mean, the perceptions around him, it's whatever the public creates. I think everybody has an opinion on him. I have an opinion on him as well. I mean, I think he's a fantastic guy. Like we said, I've known him since college. He's always been nothing but gracious and kind to me and he means really well. I think sometimes people take little tidbits of what he says and try and beat him down a little bit. And I think that's kind of what happens in sports is people get built up and then they get torn down once they reach the top. And you know, I think it's something you've seen for a long time. It's something you saw. I've watched The Last Dance a couple of times and it's something you saw with Jordan as well. And when people make it really big like Bryson has, I think some people try and tear him down a little bit. But I mean, he's a fantastic guy, he's got a great heart. And I mean, I really have nothing but good things to say about him. Number 25, back left. Scotty, Jordan made the point that there really aren't rookies on the Team USA because of all the experience winning Olympics and playing another team competition. You are the true real rookie. What advice have you been getting from your teammates and maybe other people ahead of this event? I mean, the vice captains and Steve have been really helpful as well as just the guys on the team. I would say I am the only true rookie having not played a presence cup before, but I don't feel like that. I feel like I belong on this team. The guys have done a really great job of making me feel like I belong. I think if I showed up on this team and either didn't have friends or the guys weren't being nice to me, it would feel a lot different. But I feel like it's been a seamless transition for me being on this team. The guys have been nothing but kind. I think also that the top six or the guys who knew they were gonna be on the team had a lot of input in the selection process. It wasn't just the PGA of America or Steve making the call, it was the guys on the team. And so for me, just having their kind of vote of confidence for me is fantastic. And I feel a part of the team. Doug, number 20. I was gonna, Scotty, just to ask you in terms of getting together with team for the first time, how is the experience different here than it was at the Walker Cup in terms of fitting in and that kind of stuff? Yeah, I think at the Walker Cup, it was different because we were all the same age. Like here, there's a little bit of an age gap. But, and here, the wives and girlfriends are really involved, which I think is fun. At the Walker Cup, it was really just the 10 guy, I think it was a 10 guy team. It was really just us and the captain and I was pretty much it in the team room. And so it was a little different environment. Here, there's a little bit more going on. But I think with everybody's wives being there, it's very comfortable for everybody just to be in the team room, hanging out. Wives, girlfriends, all getting to know each other as well as, you know, I would say that's probably better. The wives and girlfriends get to know each other because they don't see each other on a daily basis like we do. You know, I've seen these 12 or 11 guys at the same events for the past two years. So I know all of them pretty well, but our wives don't necessarily know each other. Was there ever a concern of you about fitting in? Not a concern, but were you kind of curious how that would take place? Fitting in, not really. Yeah, not really, I guess. Good answer. I like short answers. I don't really have anything else to say on that. Right over here, number eight. Scotty, you're incredibly even keeled, so I'm trying in my head to imagine what it looks like when you get really excited. So if you can go back to the moment when you figured out that you'd be a captain's pick, was it, I mean, was there an expression of joy? Did you feel joy? What was that like? Yeah, I think it's funny people say that I'm not emotional because my wife would say the complete opposite. I mean, I cry a decent amount. I'm actually a pretty emotional guy. And so for me, when I got the call, it was pretty similar. I was just waiting at home with the phone, basically the entire day. One of my best friends from high school came over. We were catching up and just chilling and then the phone rang and I was like, I'm sorry, buddy, I have to take this phone call. And then Steve made it really quick. He said, hey, do you want to be a part of the team? I was like, yeah, sure, Steve, if you need me, it's fine. I'll be part of the team. And a few tears of joy. My wife was really happy. She knows how hard I've worked for this. It was a really cool moment. Went and told Randy and my parents. And I mean, it was, I was probably just as emotional getting that phone call as I was the Walker Cup as well. I remember the one for the Walker Cup. I was on the range with Randy. And I didn't know when that phone call was going to come in. Steve basically told us, he's like, hey, Monday, be at your phone. And I was like, okay, be at my phone. For the Walker Cup, it was a little bit different. And that was emotional as well. What's the last movie that made you cry? The last movie that made me cry? Trying to think. Any movie that has made you cry, if you can't remember the last one? I don't know, probably because it's fresh on my mind. Miracle usually gets me going. Also, just some of the silly shows that we watched. I think Meredith and I both cried at the end of Stranger Things. I think that was, we just finished the season of that. But I think, yeah, those two. Thank you. Leave number seven, right? Yeah. Speaking of Steve's decision to pick you, he made it clear that one of the reasons was that, analytically and statistically, you fit his golf course really well. It's clear that he's using statistics and analytics a lot. I'm just curious, like, do you do that on a weekly basis? And what's your sense of how the team kind of accepts that kind of data and information? Yeah, I would say there's been a pretty open line of communication between us and Steve on where the guys wanna play, where that also fits with the statistics. And I think a lot of the guys out here, the guys that are on the team are all really smart. And I think a lot of times the statistics that we use is kind of a backup's not the right word, but kind of a second opinion, because like if the statistics guys are gonna tell us what holes we should play the evens and odds, like that's something that, you know, if Jordan and Dustin are gonna go out together, it's gonna be pretty easy for them to figure out as well. And so those statistics guys, it's really kind of that second level of confidence that this is the right decision, if that makes sense. Over here on your left, number 19. I'm sure you've heard and will hear a lot of first tee stories. What are your own expectations and what that scene's gonna be like? And secondly, what's your experience with Forsons? So first tee experience, we'll go with that first. It's gonna be loud. And then the one thing I heard it was, it's weird how loud it gets to how quiet it gets when you're about to hit the shot, just because it's gonna go back to a regular golf tournament when you're over the ball. And so I think that's gonna be kind of a weird adjustment. I think it was Zac who told me that, it was like it's just really weird how quiet it gets because it's so loud. And then all of a sudden it's dead silent. So that's that. And then Forsons, I played Forsons. I played it in junior golf on Wynnum Cup teams. I played like in four or five of those. I always loved alternate shot. Played it in the Walker Cup. And then we played a bit of it last week and I'm sure I'm gonna play a little bit more of it this week. That's another thing that they're using heavy statistics on is who pairs well and what format. And so I don't know, I like the format. If I get a chance to play, I'll enjoy it. If I don't, then that's okay too. Yeah. Straight back on your left 23. Scotty, what did you get out of the visit here last week and what do you hope to get out of the next three days, especially today playing with three guys you are in terms of preparation and knowledge and just feeling comfortable here? Yeah, I mean, Jordan, JT and Bryce and they're great to bounce things off of. I played a lot of rounds with Jordan at home last week. I think we're both enjoying kind of getting prepared for this tournament in more of a team atmosphere than it is preparing for a U.S. Open or whatever tournament it is. That's usually a little bit more individualistic. And yeah, I mean, the prep weeks, it's gonna be the same as it is in any other major. Just getting to know the golf course. The only difference is just trying to figure out who we're gonna partner up with. I think our captains have a really good idea of what our groupings are gonna be. And so for us, I don't think there's gonna be too much figuring out at the beginning of the week. I think they got a good idea of what we need to do and just matter of going out there and doing it. Captain, thank you for finding us again. One complete day of practice in. What are you seeing out on that golf course? So the cooler temperatures, but you know, is it just nice to get your team kind of in a groove as you start to work your way collectively as a team toward Friday and through the weekend? Yeah, very much so. And we took advantage of this day of the weather forecast. Looks for some heavier winds the next two days. So we felt like it was an important time to get out there and play. 18 holes, get these guys some holes under their belt and get them out here. They're excited to be out here. They're enthused, they're ready to go. And so it was a great day. The weather turned out great at the end and we had a great time out there. Terrific. Let's hit the floor for some questions. I guess we'll start over with number five. This is just a nuts and bolts question, but can you go Monday through Thursday and just let us know what the obligations are at night for the team, whether it's events, they have to go to dinners, things that are a must. Yeah, I mean, we have a dinner with each other every night. I mean, we were in our hotel room or our team room at the hotel, just the team. Tonight we have a dinner with just the team locally here, not too far away. Very casual, kind of, I don't enjoy getting dressed up and getting all, or Nikki, for that matter. She's very casual and I'm very casual, so we're trying to bring this attitude of relaxed and having a good time and being very casual. We're hopefully rubbing off on the team that we're just here to have a fun, good time, but dinners every night, being together with each other, just building those relationships. Guys are enjoying themselves with each other. It's been great in the team room. And like I said, it's kind of translated out onto the golf course, to tell you the truth. They had a ball today, it looked like. They were goofing around and having fun with one another and that's no different when we get back to the team room. Although, have you made a priority to reduce those sort of obligations that are outside the team? Has COVID been, cut those out? How was that worked? A little bit of both. My goal coming in there was to kind of cut some of that out and then COVID's kind of helped us do that, you know? And we're doing the sensible things. We're doing the proper things to stay safe and within our team zone and within that bubble and just trying to make sure that no one gets sick. I mean, we wanna play. We don't want anything to jeopardize the health of any of our players or captains. And so we're cognizant of that. We're paying attention to that and we're trying to do the right things. Thank you. All right, let's go over here on your left, Captain 21. Jeff. Steve, this can be a really demanding golf course when you have to post the score. I'm curious in a match play format, do you see it in your players like a different mindset, a different aggressiveness on how you can attack in spots here? I think they're developing the game plan last week when we were here and then obviously today they're going around. It's situational for each player. They, each guy's a little bit different. Some guys like to attack, some guys are pretty strategic and lay back, kind of whatever they feel comfortable. For one guy, he may be comfortable with one thing and that other guy may be uncomfortable with the same shot. To each his own kind of thing. Yeah, so they're developing that as they're going around and I guess it's situational too. I mean, the guys will see how they're playing, see how they're feeling. Each shot is a little bit different. Yeah, so it's fun to watch them. I know that when I was going around there today, it's to hear that sound. You don't hear that sound on the Champions Tour. There's sound of them hitting the ball like they do and it's pretty impressive these guys, how far they hit it and how solid they hit it and they're really good. Let's go over to number six, Rex, please. I mean, no specifics, obviously, but how set in your game plan as far as pairings were you coming into this week and what are the chances that that might change over the next two days of practice? I was pretty set, you know, in my mind, always some questions whether it's the right thing or not, I've done a lot of homework. Talked to my assistant captain's a bunch, talked to the players a bunch. Everything looks really good on paper at times, but then you're like, oh, what if something happens kind of thing? You always gotta be prepared for the what ifs. So that's what we're doing as well. But yeah, we've had a pretty good game plan from a while back and we're putting that into play. We're putting that in place. Let's go to Gary, number three. Steve, what was your first experience like at Valhalla and what's the best first tee story you've heard from the guys who've experienced that? Yeah, it's an unbelievable experience and it'll be no different here. I mean, just coming out on the first tee today was a cool experience. It'll be 10 times more electric come Friday. Yeah, it's just they're all a little bit different. I mean, Paris was unbelievable. I was like walking into a stadium. I mean, there was so many people around the first and 18 green there. But it's just, and it's a nerve-wracking one. I remember being very nervous, but really excited and amped up to get out there to play. So you gotta, my suggestion to the guys and what I've been telling them is that to go experience it if you're not playing that first morning is if you want to go experience that. You know, it's just a really cool atmosphere and nerve-wracking, but one that you wait your entire life, golfing life that is to experience. Kevin, we're gonna beam out to Art Strickland. Go ahead, sir, you're with the captain. Yeah, Strick, I know that you wanna get your rookies off to a good start. Have you given some thought to playing Scotty Shepard with a guy he might know well, like a Bryson or a Jordan Spath to get him going early since he hasn't been in this kind of atmosphere before? Yeah, that's a great question. I guess you're gonna have to tune in on Friday to watch. I'm really not gonna go into pairings quite yet with anybody. You know, Friday at the opening ceremony will be a great time to let you know. Okay, let's come back in the room here, number seven over here. Two, if you can. On Colin and Brooks, you know, when it comes to kind of evaluating them, coming back from those injuries, how much do you weigh what they say, how they're feeling, and versus what you see, right? And you, how you kind of evaluate. Who was the first one you said? More across back and Brooks. Yeah. How much do I weigh what? How much do you weigh like what they tell you in terms of how they're feeling. What they say, I'm 100% versus you evaluating them and what you see. Oh yeah, no, I've talked to them both and they've assured me that they're 100% ready to go and they'll do whatever it takes to play as many matches that we ask of them. So that's no issues for me, they're one of those guys. And you mentioned about trying to keep things light, especially at night and maybe more casual, more relaxed, less pressure. Is that something that you've maybe thought of in the past that maybe guys were a little wound too tight or maybe putting too much pressure on themselves? Well, you know, we're here, you know, some guys got in Sunday, some guys got in Monday. I mean, we all wanna play right now. I mean, it's about trying to temper that excitement and energy and we still have three more days, right, of getting ready. And so it's about giving them their space too. You know, I mean, they all prepare a little bit differently. I prepare differently than anybody else on that team and everybody, again, to each of their own, right? They have a way, they're in a routine on a weekly basis. They're used to doing it one way. So I wanna give them that opportunity to do it whatever which way they need to do it, hopefully to bring out their best golf. Michael, number eight. Thank you, John. Steve, when you talk to Patrick, it's a torrent of words that you get from him. You've known him, you get a lot of words from Patrick when you ask him something. You've known him a long time. I'm wondering if you can remember anything really memorable he's ever said to you? I don't know if it's a specific time, but I've had the pleasure of playing with him a number of times over the course of my career. I had a chipping contest, I remember him one year, a congressional, just a wonderful man. He's a friend, got to know him somewhat through the course of my career, but just a true gentleman, a true champion, a guy that I think has got an unbelievable amount of talent and he's changed his swing and does some different things to improve his game. He's not afraid to do that. So just a really wonderful guy and neat guy to know. If I could just follow up on that. The world's in a very topsy-turvy place right now. Did you think it was important for you two guys to come in here as the captains and do it with a certain level of grace and gentlemanliness? I don't think we're doing it any different than who we really are. You know, I mean, yeah, I think you're just seeing us. I mean, we're polite to one another. We're trying to conduct ourselves in the proper manner and all that kind of stuff. And yeah, I mean, we're excited to be playing here in front of fans. I mean, let's be real. I mean, if we would have had this last year with no fans, I mean, it would have been a shame, but we have this opportunity, unbelievable opportunity to play this in front of the fans of Wisconsin and around the world and around our country. So yeah, it's gonna provide a lot of relief and get people away from thinking about COVID for a while and think about watching some great golf. Thank you, Steve. Front right, number one. Steve, with all the talk about fan behavior this year, what are your concerns out there? And also, what do you think that the vibe is gonna be specific to Wisconsin? And secondly, what defines people from Wisconsin? What do you think that, and how would you like to see that defined in this Ryder Cup? Yeah, and we can go on past history here with the other PGA championships here. The U.S. Open at Aaron Hills down the road. You know, the sports fans of Wisconsin turn out in droves. They're very, they'll be loud. They'll be pro-U.S., right, which we're hoping for, but we're also hoping they don't cross the line, you know, which we've seen at some other Ryder Cups throughout the years. But yeah, I expect, you know, good rowdy fans. It's gonna be rowdy. It's gonna be loud, especially the first tee and pro-USA, obviously. So we're looking forward to that. We need that. We need that backing. You know, it is our home turf. So what defines, what defines Wisconsin fans? Yeah, I think a lot of blue collar, hard-working people, you know, salt of the earth people. You know, Midwest people are, you know, always seem to be very nice and courteous. And yeah, I'm partial to that. I don't mean anything negative against any other part of the country, but you know, it's just great Midwestern folks. Do you think that this would feel differently a little bit from some other Ryder Cups? Well, we're up in Hazeltine not too long ago and that's, you know, that got loud and somewhat crossed the line at times, which we don't wanna see. So yeah, I think it's gonna, you know, it's a Ryder Cup. These fans have been pent up for a long time and they're gonna come out and get behind their team. So it's gonna be loud and we expect it to be loud. But again, we ask for people not to cross that line, you know, and be respectful of both sides. Time for a couple more, straight across number four. Steve, a family question. I understand you're getting texts out there from your oldest daughter who was watching your youngest daughter win her first significant high school championship. Yeah. What does it mean to you that Izzy was able to do something so special for her in a week that's so special for all of you as a family? Yeah, very cool. You know, we're, you know, it's a golf family. We're excited, we root each other on. We're, you know, a part of each other's lives when it comes to golf, so pretty cool. Let's wrap it up here with Jeff right behind me, 20. Steve, you mentioned the wind. I'm over here. Sorry. The wind the next few days. You've been monitoring that. Is this golf course, is this a local knowledge golf course? And if so, what are you doing to feed information to players either regarding wind directions and things like that or just general little bits and pieces of local knowledge? You know, I think it's just, I can't really provide them too much of anything. You know, I think it's just experiencing that for themselves. You know, we were able to come here, like I said, last week and we saw different wind conditions, different directions than we saw today. So we've been, we've seen, you know, three different days of wind directions. So I think sometimes all you can do is get out there and experience it and see those different conditions for yourself and develop your game plan and be prepared in case that wind switches around, which it's supposed to. We know where it's supposed to come out of during the tournament and it's not gonna be that way the next couple of days. So, you know, these guys are probably doing a lot of homework at night with themselves, you know, thinking about the course and that different wind direction and they talk with their partners, potential partners on game plans. And so it's, it'll be a challenge, you know, for guys that have not seen a particular wind that all of a sudden it's gonna switch around. So, but they'll do their homework. They're smart. They do this for a living and they'll be ready and prepared. Captain, thanks again for your time. Congratulations on the daughter's achievement. Yeah, thank you. Have a good night. Appreciate it.