Nick Faldo savages Bryson DeChambeau and piles pressure on Scottie Scheffler for Ryder Cup

Sir Nick Faldo has delivered a scathing assessment of American golf stars Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau as the Ryder Cup looms large. Both players have secured spots in Team USA's lineup for the showdown at Bethpage in New York next month.

LIV Golf's DeChambeau, 31, has earned his way back into contention after being overlooked for Europe's triumph in Rome two years ago. Scheffler featured in that tournament but endured a nightmare campaign, failing to win any of of his four matches in unexpected fashion.

First-timers Russell Henley and JJ Spaun have earned their maiden Ryder Cup call-ups, while Xander Schauffele and Harris English complete the group announced thus far. Yet Faldo questioned the Americans' credentials as he dissected their squad on (via The Mirror US).

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"Well, Schauffele's off form right now," said the golf legend as he scrutinised potential weaknesses in the home side. "It will be a brand new experience for Spaun. Those guys don't scare you, do they?

"And look what happened to Scottie Scheffler in the last one with [Brooks] Koepka! What was it, nine and eight, nine and seven? Nine and seven, my goodness. You've hardly got your boots dirty for that one."

The former world No. 1 was referencing Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland's crushing nine-and-seven demolition of Scheffler and Koepka during Saturday's foursomes back in 2023. That humiliation stands as the largest defeat in an 18-hole Ryder Cup encounter and sets a formidable benchmark.

"So [Scheffler] has a lot to prove," the Englishman continued. "When you're at the top, like Rory [McIlroy] in our team, you're a feather to the other team. You're very vulnerable, just because you're the best. The determination to beat their best player, you're a target. And it worked in Rome."

Faldo then shifted his focus to DeChambeau, who is keen to be part of another victorious U.S. team on home turf. 'The Scientist' was a member of the triumphant Ryder Cup team of 2021, but Faldo cautioned DeChambeau will require a more balanced approach.

"If he thinks he's gonna throttle it around the golf course... I'd like to play him back in my day," he added. "Stick it down the fairway, and he can be 450 [yards] off the tee in the trees. I'd be happy with that!"

Bethpage is a notoriously challenging course that usually hosts low-scoring competitions. And this doesn't look set to change next month when DeChambeau will need more than just a strong tee technique to help his team secure victory.

Keegan Bradley has yet to announce his six captain's picks for the event, but they're bound to be of significant quality. It's been more than a decade since either Ryder Cup team managed to win on foreign soil, with Europe being the last to do so in Illinois in 2012.

Team USA nearly equalled the largest winning margin in modern Ryder Cup history when they triumphed 19-9 in Wisconsin four years ago. Meanwhile, Europe will head to Long Island hoping to clinch consecutive titles for the first time since 2014.

With a host of the 2023 victors set to return, Team Europe are confident they have what it takes to make history. And golfing icon Faldo, who believes lesser-known Harry Hall should be in contention for a wild card, is adamant their American rivals are ripe for defeat.