With the Ryder Cup just around the corner, all eyes will be on Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, who are ranked first and third in the world rankings. Both are expected to be key figures for Team USA.

Still, things aren’t quite that simple this year. While Scheffler was outstanding throughout 2025, it wasn’t the same story for Schauffele.

The two-time major winner missed the opening two months of the season through injury. But at this level, you’re not going to get much sympathy.

Even when he did return, he struggled to put any real form together – although he did make every cut.

Schauffele won’t be playing at Silverado though – only two US players are missing out on that event. His absence is down to good news off the course: his wife has just given birth.

Scheffler, on the other hand, is in action in Napa and sits tied for 14th heading into Saturday’s round.

Scheffler is seen as a leader within the US team by captain Keegan Bradley. And both he and Schauffele hold plenty of sway with their teammates despite different seasons leading up to it.

How Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele have prepared for the Ryder Cup

Bradley hasn’t hidden how important he thinks it is for his players to get some competitive rounds in at the Procore Championship this week.

The five-week gap between the Tour Championship and the Ryder Cup at Bethpage would have been too long without any real tournament golf for the US squad.

What’s interesting is that Scheffler and Schauffele were reportedly key voices pushing to get everyone involved in Napa, encouraging more team members to play at Silverado Resort.

Rex Hoggard, speaking on The Golf Channel Podcast, shed some light on how much influence they had over this decision. “You asked me about this week and why it’s such a special week,” Hoggard said.

“It is something, I don’t think you and I can overstate how important it is that 10 of the 12 American players are here this week. It’s not something that they really do.”

He went on to explain: “It’s really important to point out that this was really by many accounts, Scottie’s and Xander Schauffele’s idea. After Rome, they didn’t feel like they were sharp enough. There was a four or five-week break between the Tour Championship and getting to Rome.”

“They felt like they were rusty, they didn’t feel like they were ready to play in that event. So they all agreed that they were going to show up here.”

Procore Championship has benefitted US Ryder Cup Team

Ben Griffin has taken control of the Procore Championship after two rounds, reinforcing why he was such a clear selection for the team.

Russell Henley and J.J. Spaun have also impressed with their play so far.

Scheffler and Cameron Young have been steady, if not spectacular, while Harris English’s iron play has been off the mark, though his overall performance hasn’t raised any major alarms.

But there are early signs that Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay aren’t quite at the level they need to be for Bethpage, as both players sit one-under par after two rounds at Silverado Resort.

Cantlay is currently outside the top 50 in Napa after two rounds, while Burns is further down in 77th place. And even though Thomas is sitting at 59th in an event where a strong showing was expected from him ahead of the Ryder Cup, there’s no real reason to doubt his potential impact on the tournament.

Elsewhere in Europe, all eyes will turn towards Napa once play wraps up on Saturday at Wentworth to see how things are shaping up across the pond.