Ryder Cup Pressure: What McCabe and Bradley Say About Preparation

The Ryder Cup's first tee and team responsibility can make familiar golf shots feel different. In a September 2025 PGA Tour interview, sports psychologist Bhrett McCabe described how playing for teammates can increase the emotional stakes.

Accepting the atmosphere

McCabe's approach was to help players accept the crowd and their emotions instead of spending energy trying to suppress them. He encouraged players to enjoy the occasion and the support around them. The PGA Tour's interviews on Ryder Cup pressure also include Rory McIlroy's account of nerves over his first tee shot at Celtic Manor.

Bradley's breathing routine

Keegan Bradley described a more specific part of his own preparation in an August 2025 Golf Digest instruction article. He said he practises a ten-minute breathing exercise before a round and begins his shot routine by briefly placing a hand on his stomach.

These are two personal approaches to preparation: McCabe's emphasis on allowing emotion and Bradley's use of a repeatable routine. Both describe managing the moment rather than expecting the Ryder Cup to feel like an ordinary tournament.