‘It’s a big deal!’ Ryder Cup rookie concerned by Team USA dilemma

Finding the perfect foursomes partner isn’t always plain sailing, and Ryder Cup rookie Russell Henley is realizing that, with the golf ball being of major concern.

With the Ryder Cup looming, the captains will be deep into their preparations, which includes picking pairings for the opening foursomes matches.

This is set to be an easier task for Team Europe, with golf balls causing a big problem for Team USA.

For Ryder Cup rookie Russell Henley, he’s realizing the challenge of finding the perfect partner, and the golf ball plays a huge role in that, “It is a big deal. I think especially into the greens, if you’re seeing a different spin rate.

“Like me, who really emphasizes controlling the ball with my irons, if I don’t know how much the ball is spinning – if it’s spinning way less – it’s going to be really tough for me to figure that out. Absolutely, it makes a big difference.”

The importance of being paired with the best player to complement each other’s game is hugely important, and depending on what each player in the pair uses, it can majorly impact the outcome of a match.

Henley uses the Titleist Pro V1x, and he’s one of three players on the team to use this golf ball – alongside Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay. It would be very easy to pair him up with one of those two guys, but that’s not always possible, or the best option.

“Last year at the Presidents Cup, I had a couple of guys that I was paired well with, like odds and evens, for alternate shot, and Tony Finau was one of the guys.

“He plays the lowest spin, lowest launch ball because he’s one of the highest spin players, and I play the highest spin, highest launch ball, so we’re on opposite ends of the spectrum.

“For me to hit one of his balls with my driver, I don’t know if I would have been able to spin it over 2,000 RPMs.”

Tony Finau uses the Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash, which is known to be low-spinning. Henley is saying that on paper they would make a nice pair, but because they play such different golf balls, it rules out any possibility of a pairing – also the fact Finau isn’t a part of the Ryder Cup team.

Henley was paired with World No.1 Scottie Scheffler at the 2024 Presidents Cup in three of the four sessions. Scheffler uses the Titleist Pro V1, and that could be a possible pairing again at Bethpage.

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