You know, there’s a certain kind of heartbreak in professional golf that doesn't involve hitting it into the water on the 18th hole. It’s the silence of a phone not ringing. Or, worse, the phone ringing and hearing a voice like Zach Johnson’s on the other end telling you that, despite finishing ninth in the standings, you’re staying home. That was the reality for Cameron Young back in 2023. He was essentially the "odd man out" in a room full of veterans and "vibes" picks.
Fast forward to 2025 at Bethpage Black, and the script didn't just flip; it was completely rewritten. Cameron Young finally made his Ryder Cup debut, and honestly, it felt like the golf gods finally decided to settle the bill.
The Rome Snub: What Really Happened
Let’s be real for a second. The 2023 Ryder Cup selection process was a bit of a mess for Team USA. Cameron Young was ranked 9th in the points. In almost any other year, that’s a "lock." It’s the kind of position where you’ve already started looking at flights to Italy.
But then things got weird.
Vice-captain Fred Couples went on his SiriusXM show and basically told the world, "Cam Young will be in Italy." It wasn't a "maybe." It was a definitive statement. When Zach Johnson eventually announced his picks and Young wasn't on the list, the fallout was immediate. Johnson later had to claim Couples' comments were made "in jest," which is a pretty tough pill to swallow when your bags are figuratively packed.
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Young took it better than most of us would have. He didn't go on a social media tirade. He didn't blame the "boys club" mentality that many fans pointed to when Justin Thomas—who was struggling massively at the time—got the nod instead. Young just... disappeared for a bit. He went home, practiced, and waited.
Bethpage Black: The Homecoming
There is something poetic about Cameron Young making his Ryder Cup debut in New York. He’s a Scarborough native. He grew up on these types of "big-boy" golf courses where the rough is thick enough to lose a small dog and the greens are like marble.
He actually won the New York State Open at Bethpage Black as an amateur back in 2017. He shot a 64 that week. He knew the lines. He knew how the wind swirled around the bunkers.
By the time the 2025 Ryder Cup rolled around, Young wasn't just a "hopeful" pick. He forced Keegan Bradley’s hand. He won the Wyndham Championship in August—his first PGA Tour win after a string of runner-up finishes that had become a bit of a running joke in golf circles. He followed that up with top-10 finishes throughout the playoffs.
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Keegan Bradley, who knew exactly what it felt like to be snubbed (having been left off the 2023 team himself), didn't make the same mistake. He picked Young, and he put him to work early.
Breaking Down the 3-1-0 Record
Young didn't just show up; he anchored the team.
- Friday Four-Ball: Paired with Justin Thomas (ironic, right?), they absolutely dismantled Ludvig Åberg and Rasmus Højgaard 6&5. Young won four of the first six holes himself.
- Saturday Foursomes: He teamed up with Bryson DeChambeau. Talk about a "bash brothers" duo. They beat Matt Fitzpatrick and Åberg 4&2. Young’s ball-striking was surgical.
- Sunday Singles: This was the big one. He went out first against the veteran Justin Rose.
Rose is a Ryder Cup legend. He’s the guy who usually breaks American hearts. But Young held on, burying a birdie putt on the 18th hole to win 1UP. It was the first point of the day for the U.S., and while the overall comeback fell short, Young proved he was the "alpha" the team had been looking for.
Why Young’s Style Works for the Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup is often won by the guys who can make a lot of birdies, but it’s kept by the guys who don't beat themselves. Young is a power player. He’s 17th in driving distance for a reason. But what people miss is his iron play. At Bethpage, he was consistently putting himself within 15 feet while everyone else was hacking out of the cabbage.
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He also has this weirdly calm demeanor. You’ll see him hit a 350-yard drive and he looks like he’s waiting for a bus. That lack of "pulsing" heart rate is a massive asset when 40,000 New Yorkers are screaming your name and a European is staring you down.
Honestly, the "Cam Young" era of the Ryder Cup should have started in 2023. But maybe the wait made the 2025 performance more meaningful. He didn't just get a spot; he earned a reputation as a closer.
What’s Next for Young and Team USA?
Moving forward, it’s hard to imagine a U.S. team without him. With the 2027 Ryder Cup heading to Adare Manor in Ireland, the U.S. is going to need guys who can handle heavy, damp conditions and long carries. That’s Young’s bread and butter.
If you're looking to track his progress or learn from how he handles the pressure, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tea: This is his superpower. If he’s in the top 5 in this stat, he’s basically unbeatable in match play.
- Putting Consistency: The only thing that ever held him back was a cold putter. In 2025, he switched to a new routine that stabilized his short game. Watch if that holds up in major championships.
- Schedule Management: Young has talked about being "burned out" in the past. Look for him to play a more limited, focused schedule to peak for the big events.
The 2023 snub is a footnote now. Cameron Young is no longer the guy who got left behind; he's the guy the Europeans have to figure out how to beat.
For more updates on the U.S. Ryder Cup roster and upcoming tournament schedules, check the official PGA Tour rankings and the Ryder Cup player points list as we head toward the 2026 season.