Xander Schauffele out of key USA Ryder Cup preparation as he flies in the face of Keegan Bradley
Xander Schauffele has declined participation in this week’s Procore Championship – a move that goes against the wishes of Team USA Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley.
The two-time major champion, who had an underwhelming 2025 season across the four majors that he played, admitted last month he wanted to be ‘away from golf’ in the build-up to the biennial competition.
While Schauffele won’t be present at California’s Silverado Country Club, 10 of his Ryder Cup teammates will be using the Procore Championship as an opportunity to get some competitive reps ahead of the action at Bethpage Black.
Captain Bradley targeted the event as a tune-up for his team, having decided against picking himself, and Schauffele is the only one from the PGA Tour who will not compete.
Bryson DeChambeau – ineligible to compete as he plays in the LIV Golf League – is the other US Ryder Cup name missing from the field.
Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Justin Thomas, Sam Burns, Patrick Cantlay, Harris English, Ben Griffin, Russell Henley, Collin Morikawa and Cameron Young are all teeing it up at the Procore Championship.
DeChambeau, meanwhile, is still expected to attend a team dinner on Tuesday night, and was spotted in Pebble Beach, California, as a spectator at the Walker Cup over the weekend.
Bradley even admitted last month that he had asked those who might be part of his team to commit to the Napa event, although insisted it wasn’t a requirement.
What has Schauffele said about his Ryder Cup preparation?
Schauffele’s absence, then, is certainly interesting.
However, the world No.3 revealed in August that he is ‘mentally tapped’ amid a dip in form, and will prepare for the Ryder Cup by taking some time away from the course.
“I feel like I just need to sort of reset a little bit, cool off a little bit, and just get back to a healthy mental place where I want to sit down and work really hard again,” the 31-year-old said, after a lethargic finish to the BMW Championship in Maryland.
“Right now I’m mentally a little tapped.
“Everyone out here is trying really hard. There’s nothing worse than trying your hardest and playing like a**. It’s the worst combo.
“Some of us do it, some of us don’t. It’s been a while since I have, and I did it for a few weeks now, and it sucked.
“It’s going to be nice to sit back and be at home and away from golf.”
What is Schauffele’s record at the Ryder Cup?
While he won’t be preparing for the Ryder Cup alongside his teammates at the Procore Championship, Schauffele is expected to bring the fight to Team Europe when the dust-up begins at Bethpage Black.
It will be the reigning Olympic champion’s third appearance at the event.
His debut in 2021 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin was impressive, and he formed a strong partnership with Patrick Cantlay in the foursomes and four-balls.
Schauffele was only beaten once in singles action, by Rory McIlroy, as Team USA ran out 19-9 winners.
In Rome two years ago, though, he struggled on hostile territory.
Schauffele played four matches — two alongside Cantlay – and lost three of them as Europe regained the trophy for the first time since 2018.
He heads to Bethpage Black with an overall record of 4-4-0, and will be looking to pick up some wins for Team USA off the back of spending some time away from golf.
The 2025 Ryder Cup takes place from September 26–28, at Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York.
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