Justin Rose takes swipe at Team USA ahead of 'intense' Ryder Cup showdown

Justin Rose has stoked the flames ahead of the 2025 Ryder Cup by claiming that the USA don't yet know what it means to be a 'great team'. Rose, 45, will be part of Team Europe's assault on Bethpage Black, with the tournament starting next Friday, September 26.

The Englishman was part of the last European side to win on American soil in 2012, and the visitors are looking to retain the Ryder Cup after their comfortable win by five points in Italy two years ago. Rose, known for his mild-mannered persona, has somewhat uncharacteristically fuelled tensions with his analysis of Team USA.

At a recent Q&A, Rose discussed the host team's chemistry and whether they can match their talent with team unity. "I think the US team have definitely bonded a lot more in recent years, and I think that they do have pockets of good friendships," Rose explained.

"But I think the Americans have gotten a little bit… they think being a great team is about being best mates. I really don't think that's what being a great team is.

"Being a great team is having a kind of a real good theme and having an identity that has come from players before you, and you all buy into that vision.

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"You don't have to be having the greatest time in the world to do that. Although, inevitably, we do have a great time doing that. I think America have tried too hard to become a team, whereas Europe is a bit more natural and organic, and I think it comes from deeper roots in a way."

The 45-year-old is 'relishing' the intensity of the competition. Bethpage Black will host the Ryder Cup for the first time and join Oak Hill Country Club as the only New York-based courses to stage the iconic tournament.

"I think we've been talking about the Ryder Cup in Bethpage probably for 10 years, the anticipation of it, what it's going to be like, how intense it's going to be," Rose added. "New Yorkers are crazy, and I think they become sort of caricatures of themselves.

"I think they feel like they have to live up to that reputation. So, fully expect absolute chaos out there. But I'm also not sure that that's necessarily bad either.

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"There comes a point where it just becomes noise, the more there is, potentially, I'm hoping it fades into just chaos and noise, which actually might be easier than one or two very, very distracting targeted noises.

"So, we'll see, but I'm expecting that, too. I really don't know, my point is I actually don't know what to expect, but I think we have to make a mental commitment.

"I'm not going in unprepared by saying I don't know what to expect. I'm going in saying, 'I don't know what to expect, but I'm willing to commit to not rising to anything, not taking the bait, willing to just accept and absorb and let things roll off your back'. You need that resilience.

"I think that's what we're accepting, that you're going to need resilience that week, 100 per cent. But who knows what it's actually going to be like in person. It's going to be wild."

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