The Alternate's Dilemma: Being a Ryder Cup Player Without Playing a Shot

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – In the team photos, they stand proudly alongside their teammates in matching gear. They're at every practice session, every team dinner, and every captain's meeting. But when the matches begin, they watch from the sidelines. They are the alternates—the Ryder Cup players who never get to play.

It is one of the most bittersweet roles in all of professional golf: to be part of the team, yet not truly part of the action.

The Selection Process

Each Ryder Cup team includes alternates—typically 2-3 players who serve as injury replacements. These players are often selected based on their current form, their experience, or the captain's gut feeling that they might be needed. Being named an alternate is an honor, proof that you were on the cusp of making the 12-man roster. But it's also a reminder that you fell just short.

Practicing Without Purpose?

Alternates participate fully in team practice sessions leading up to the event. They hit balls on the range, play practice rounds on the course, and engage in all team-building activities. This creates a strange psychological dynamic. On one hand, they must stay sharp and ready in case an injury occurs. On the other hand, they know that if they do get to play, it means a teammate has been hurt—a situation no one wants.

Some alternates have described the practice sessions as surreal, like rehearsing for a play you'll never perform. The competitive fire that defines elite Ryder Cup players is left burning with no outlet.

The Emotional Rollercoaster

The matches begin, and the alternate's role shifts from player to spectator. They walk the course, offering encouragement and support to their teammates. They celebrate victories and console teammates after losses. But deep down, there's an unavoidable feeling of being an outsider looking in. They are experiencing the Ryder Cup, but not truly living it.

Some former alternates have spoken candidly about the emotional difficulty. You want your team to win, but you also secretly hope for the call from the captain—the injury that would give you your chance. It's a guilt-inducing paradox that creates immense internal conflict.

Rare Heroics: When Alternates Get the Call

On extremely rare occasions, an alternate becomes a hero. In the 2008 Ryder Cup, Paul Azinger famously considered elevating alternate J.B. Holmes to the active roster due to injury concerns, though it ultimately didn't happen. Throughout Ryder Cup history, there have been a handful of instances where alternates were pressed into service and delivered crucial points. These moments are cherished precisely because they are so uncommon.

The Unsung Contribution

While they don't hit shots in competition, alternates do contribute significantly to the team. They serve as practice partners, helping the competing players fine-tune their games. They act as morale boosters, providing encouragement and energy. They are extra eyes and ears for the captain, offering insights and observations from the sidelines. Their value is real, even if it's not reflected in the final score.

A Stepping Stone

For many alternates, the experience serves as valuable preparation for a future Ryder Cup appearance. They get to experience the atmosphere, understand the team dynamics, and learn what it takes to succeed at this level—all without the pressure of actual competition. Several players who served as alternates have gone on to become star Ryder Cup players in subsequent editions, using their alternate experience as a foundation.

The Bittersweet Honor

As the 2025 Ryder Cup concludes at Bethpage, the alternates will put on their team gear one final time for the closing ceremony. They will pose for photos with the trophy, share in the celebration (or heartbreak), and be forever linked to this chapter of Ryder Cup history. But they will also carry the unique melancholy of being the players who were there, but not really there.

It is a role that requires grace, humility, and genuine team spirit. The Ryder Cup alternates may not hit the shots or hole the putts, but their sacrifice and support make them Ryder Cup players in every sense that truly matters.