Max Homa offers key advice to United States Ryder Cup rookies

PGA Tour golfer Max Homa has implored Keegan Bradley's Ryder Cup rookies to not worry so much about hitting their first shots at Bethpage Black. 

Homa has represented the United States on several occasions. 

He has a perfect 4-0-0 record across two Presidents Cup appearances and was a bright spark in an otherwise abject team performance at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy two years ago. 

After a disastrous season that saw Homa miss eight cuts on the PGA Tour, the 34-year-old now finds himself on the outside looking in. 

There was little chance Homa was ever going to be selected as one of Keegan Bradley's wildcards given his woes in 2025. 

Bradley's 12-man team features four rookies, with Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, J.J. Spaun and Russell Henley set to make their debuts in the contest. 

Homa told reporters before the Procore Championship - where 10 members of the US team are participating in a tune-up - that Young, Spaun, Henley and Griffin needn't worry about that first tee shot. 

"Just take it all in," Homa said when asked what advice he would give them. 

"You're going to be nervous, no reason to shy away from it. Just trust yourself and go play. 

"You could hit the worst shot ever on that hole and you're one down, that's it. Head to two. So yeah, whether you hit the best shot ever or the worst, it just turns into a story so you might as well enjoy it. 

"Look around, laugh a little with your partner. You hear all those great stories these days. Yeah, so I think it's just fun. 

You'll look back on it regardless of how it goes and just appreciate it because it's truly unlike anything you'll do. 

"[It is] maybe [like the] first time you play at Waste Management on 16 but it's way different. 

"It's got just a little bit extra oomph to it, and it's your first shot of the day. 

"Yeah, it's just fun. You only get that first time one time so you might as well soak it in a bit."

The 2025 Ryder Cup will be played over 26-28 September. 

Luke Donald's European team is essentially unchanged from their five-point triumph in Rome. 

Rasmus Hojgaard has replaced his twin brother Nicolai in the line-up and is the only rookie in the squad. 

Donald told reporters before the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth his team will take a "unified approach" to what is expected to be a volatile reception. 

Scottie Scheffler admits Ryder Cup mistake

Team USA will be led by the top-ranked Scottie Scheffler in a few weeks' time. 

Scheffler, 29, won added two more major championships to his haul in 2025 but has a mixed record in the Ryder Cup. 

He did not deliver in Rome and is determined to right those wrongs. 

Scheffler said before teeing it up in Napa, California, that his preparation wasn't correct last time around. 

Multiple PGA Tour winner Billy Horschel has also called for Scheffler and Xander Schauffele to step-up their games.