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NFL Week 4: Previews

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Minnesota Vikings (2-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)

Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET (in Dublin)

Odds: Vikings -2.5, Total 40.5

Series Rewind: Sunday is the first leg of an international double-dip for the Vikings. Minnesota plays the Browns in London next week. The Vikings are 4-0 in international games, most wins without a loss among NFL clubs.

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Minnesota is making the two-city tour of Europe and the AFC North starting with the first-ever NFL regular-season game in Dublin. Head coach Kevin O’Connell raised a glass to backup Carson Wentz for his play as the fill-in starter for J.J. McCarthy last week and handed Wentz a second start. McCarthy is dealing with a high-ankle sprain, and Wentz — starting for his sixth team in the past six seasons — is backed by a strong running game and high-performing defense that produced two touchdowns last week to bury the Bengals. Pittsburgh’s vaunted defense did enough to get a win at New England last week but hasn’t discovered its usual game-changing footing in the early portion of the schedule. Minnesota continues to shuffle the offensive line with left guard Blake Brandel breaking into the front five, making for a third different alignment in four games. Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers has preferred RB Jaylen Warren in the passing game. He’s the leader on the roster with 11 receptions for 142 and has 43 carries for a team-best 132 yards. While Rodgers said this week he’s excited to be at the home of beer brand Guinness, he’ll get brain tests from Vikings coordinator Brian Flores. Rodgers has had plenty of big games in 29 starts and 30 total appearances against the Vikings in his career. Rodgers has 7,401 passing yards, 63 TDs (59 passes), 11 interceptions and a 105.4 passer rating all-time facing the Vikings.

Cleveland Browns (1-2) at Detroit Lions (2-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Odds: Lions -9.5, Total 44.5

Series Rewind: Lions QB Jared Goff is tied for the NFL lead with a passer rating of 100-plus in 22 games since 2023.

The Lions have ratcheted up the offense with 90 points and 937 yards while winning the past two weeks. They put up 224 rushing yards — including a career-high 151 from David Montgomery — in Monday’s 38-30 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. The sledding will be tougher against the Browns, who lead the league in rushing defense (57.3 yards per game) and total defense (204.3). Of course, Myles Garrett (four sacks) promises to keep Goff on his toes. Goff has completed a league-best 77.9 percent of his passes and is tied for second with seven passing touchdowns. Lions star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown is tied for the league lead with four scoring receptions. Cleveland’s offense isn’t scaring anyone with Joe Flacco being an underwhelming starter. The 40-year-old is undefeated in three career starts against the Lions. But he has thrown four interceptions this season and the Browns rank 30th in scoring offense (15.3). Protecting Flacco will be a big need against a Lions defense that racked up seven sacks against Ravens elusive star Lamar Jackson. Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins flashed some skills with 94 yards and a score in last week’s 13-10 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Carolina Panthers (1-2) vs. New England Patriots (1-2)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Odds: Patriots -5.5, Total 43.5

Series Rewind: This will mark the ninth meeting with the all-time series split 4-4. The Patriots won the most important game in the series, defeating Carolina on Adam Vinatieri’s last-second field goal for a 32-29 Lombardi-clincher in Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004.

Carolina enters this road trip to New England with some confidence coming off a 30-0 shutout of Atlanta for its first win of the season and first shutout since 2020. Bryce Young had only a rushing TD last week, but also delivered his first turnover-free game of the season after throwing three picks and fumbling twice in the first two games. WR Tetairoa McMillan is still looking for his first TD, but he does lead all rookies in receiving yards (216). He didn’t practice Wednesday with a calf injury and was limited Thursday. Patriots QB Drake Maye, who grew up in the Charlotte area, will face his hometown team for the first time this week. He has five TD passes to two interceptions with a 101.3 passer rating and is also tied for the team lead with 87 rushing yards. New England’s defense has held its first three opponents to 181 rushing yards (second fewest in the league) and could get a boost this week with All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez trending toward possibly making his season debut vs. Carolina.

Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Odds: Eagles -3.5, Total 44.5

Series Rewind: In their past 25 games, including the playoffs, the Eagles are 0-2 against the Buccaneers and 21-2 against the rest of the league.

The only NFL matchup of unbeaten teams this week is an early battle for NFC supremacy. The cardiac Bucs are the first team in the Super Bowl era to open a season with game-winning scores in three straight games in the final minute of regulation. The swashbuckling Baker Mayfield made the Eagles walk the plank in their last visit to the Pirate Ship in Week 4 last season, throwing for 347 yards and with three TDs (two passing, one rushing) in a 33-16 win. The Eagles were without top receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown in that loss. In this game, Mayfield will be without star wideout Mike Evans (hamstring) on Sunday but slot receiver Chris Godwin, out since last October with a nasty ankle injury, is expected to be available. The Eagles pulled off their own stunner last weekend, rallying from 19 down in the second half to beat the Rams. Off to a slow start, Saquon Barkley needs 173 scrimmage yards to hit 10,000 for his career. Philadelphia’s passing game has been lightly used and produced an average of just 146.7 yards through three games.

Washington Commanders (2-1) vs. Atlanta Falcons (1-2)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Odds: Commanders -1.5, Total 45.5

Series Rewind: After losing six consecutive games to Atlanta from 2006-18, the pigskin pendulum has swung in Washington’s favor with four straight wins in the 2020s.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn returns to Atlanta, where he compiled a 43-42 record from 2015-20 as head coach. It’s worth noting that the Falcons are 34-48 since firing Quinn after their 0-5 start in 2020. He will face a languid Atlanta offense that was blanked 30-0 by Carolina last weekend and has scored three or fewer points in eight of 12 quarters so far. Only two of seven trips to the red zone have resulted in a touchdown. Michael Penix got benched for Kirk Cousins against the Panthers but Penix has played well at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where he looks for his third straight home game of 295-plus passing yards with at least one passing and one rushing TD. The Commanders are going back to ex-Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota with Jayden Daniels (knee) ruled out and set to miss a second consecutive game with a knee injury. Mariota (5-8 as the Falcons’ starter in 2022) will join Quinn on the Atlanta reunion tour. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin is out with a quad injury.

New Orleans Saints (0-3) at Buffalo Bills (3-0)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Odds: Bills -15.5, Total 48.5

Series Rewind: Winless in nine career starts, Saints QB Spencer Rattler is the only quarterback with 25-plus completions in every game this season.

Kellen Moore heads to Buffalo still chasing his first win as a head coach but New Orleans is facing a tall order. The biggest underdog on the board this week at more than two touchdowns, the Saints will face a Bills team still without injured DT Ed Oliver and LB Matt Milano. Rattler completed more than 70 percent of his passes in each of the past two games and hasn’t hampered the Saints with decision-making. But New Orleans is missing the big-play elements to throw punches with heavy-hitting Buffalo. WR Chris Olave’s 10 receptions went for 57 yards last week at Seattle. The Bills lead the NFL in total offense and rushing yards, and reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen is looking to extend Buffalo’s home winning streak to 14 games. Allen hasn’t thrown an interception in 11 of his past 12 starts and has been content in the pocket with teams altering their approach to slow down RB James Cook. Cook is one of four NFL players with at least 100 yards from scrimmage in every game this season.

Tennessee Titans (0-3) at Houston Texans (0-3)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Odds: Texans -7.5, Total 38.5

Series Rewind: Tennessee has won three of its past four games at Houston. Rookie quarterbacks are 2-7 against Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans.

Quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree takes over play-calling duties for the Titans, who are struggling to sustain drives and protect No. 1 pick Cam Ward. He’s ready for Sunday but was limited by a lower-leg injury to begin the week. Houston’s defense has teeth and a pass rush capable of collapsing the Titans’ offensive line, which will again be without starting OT J.C. Latham (hip). The Titans have averaged just 3.6 yards per play, worst in the NFL, putting Ward in third-and-long situations and in harm’s way too often. The Texans changed offensive coordinators and have yet to leave the runway in 2025. C.J. Stroud has two touchdowns and three interceptions, and Houston ranks 28th or lower in the NFL in yards per game, points per game and third-down percentage. Offensive line changes are not working out. LT Laremy Tunsil was traded to the Commanders and Stroud has not had time to plant and throw in critical passing situations, muting the big-play ability of WR Nico Collins. Collins and Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed became a more compelling watch this week when Sneed asked “Who?” in response to a reporter’s question about contending with the wideout. Stroud has a 105.6 passer rating on attempts intended for Collins in 2025. His rating is 65.8 when targeting any other player.

Chicago Bears (1-2) at Las Vegas Raiders (1-2)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

Series Rewind: The Bears beat the Raiders 30-12 in 2023, their last meeting, and have wins in three of the past four matchups.

A faster start to the game is a vital part of the plan for the Bears, who scored a 31-14 win — the first of the Ben Johnson era — last week and play four of their next five games on the road. This week they visit the Raiders, who also are 1-2 under new coach Pete Carroll. In the first three games with Johnson at the helm, Chicago has scored 28 first-quarter points, tied for tops in the league and one more than they managed in 17 games last season. Caleb Williams passed for 298 yards and four touchdowns last week. Williams spread the ball — and scoring passes — to receivers Luther Burden III, Rome Odunze, DJ Moore and tight end Cole Kmet while compiling a career-best passer rating of 142.6. Las Vegas rarely blitzes but has a streak of 38 consecutive games with a QB sack. Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu leads the team with three, but Johnson especially is concerned about end Maxx Crosby, a four-time Pro Bowl selection. Las Vegas gained 354 yards while leaning into a special connection between quarterback Geno Smith and receiver Tre Tucker. Smith completed 19 of 29 passes for 289 yards and three scores, all to Tucker, who gained 145 yards on eight receptions. Smith has passed for 831 yards through three games, second in the NFL, while throwing for four touchdowns against four interceptions. Las Vegas is aiming to shore up its running game. Rookie Ashton Jeanty was hit at or behind the line of scrimmage on 11 of 17 carries against Washington. Las Vegas’ Brock Bowers is planning to play while nursing an ailing knee.

Indianapolis Colts (3-0) vs. Los Angeles Rams (2-1)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

Odds: Rams -3.5, Total 49.5

Series Rewind: Indianapolis leads the all-time series 23-21-2 but has lost the past four games against the Rams, last beating them when they were still in St. Louis in 2009.

Almost unrecognizable in his ability to function and even flourish in the face of pass-rush pressure, Indianapolis QB Daniel Jones has kept things rolling for the Colts’ high-powered offense. He’s third in the league in passing yards (816) and the offense ranks second in total offense (418.7 yards/game) and scoring offense (34.3 points/game). Jones is the only QB in the league with 225-plus yards, a touchdown pass and no interceptions in each of the first three games this season. He’s supplemented by Jonathan Taylor, who leads the league in rushing yards (338). This game appeared likely to be a battle of 3-0 teams before Los Angeles blew a 19-point lead last week at Philadelphia. The Rams defense, tied for the league lead with 12 sacks and fifth in total defense (268.3) allowed three second-half touchdown passes. WR Puka Nacua leads the league in catches (29) and receiving yards (333) early this season.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) vs. San Francisco 49ers (3-0)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: 49ers -3.5, Total 46.5

Series Rewind: San Francisco leads the all-time series 5-2, and has won the past five games and each of its two home games vs. Jacksonville.

San Francisco is just one of six unbeaten teams left, but enters this game battered and bruised. Starting QB Brock Purdy (left shoulder, toe) and his backup, Mac Jones (knee) were limited in practice. Jones said he’ll be ready to play while Purdy gave a less definitive answer but his mobility was improved. Whoever starts could have a somewhat limited pool of skill-position players available. Tight end George Kittle (hamstring) and receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) remain out while receivers Jauan Jennings and Jordan Watkins have not practiced this week and Ricky Pearsall has been limited. Jacksonville’s defense has held opposing offenses without a touchdown until the fourth quarter in two of its first three games this season. Arik Armstead (1.5 sacks) will be facing his former team for the first time after spending his first nine seasons in San Francisco. Cornerback Jourdan Lewis recorded his second pick of the season last week and leads the league with six pass breakups.

Baltimore Ravens (1-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-2)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

Odds: Ravens -2.5, Total 48.5

Series Rewind: The Chiefs have won five of the past six meetings in the series.

The loser of these two AFC powerhouse teams will be saddled with a 1-3 record so playoff-type intensity could be unleashed. The Chiefs have struggled to score — they are tied for 21st in scoring offense at 20 points per game — while Baltimore can score but can’t seem to stop anyone. The Ravens average a league-high 37 points per game but rank 31st in scoring defense (32.0 points per outing) and last in total defense (415.0 yards). In Monday’s 38-30 loss to the Detroit Lions, Baltimore allowed a stunning 224 yards on the ground. Patrick Mahomes leads Kansas City with 125 rushing yards so there shouldn’t be a repeat. Mahomes would like to get points earlier against the Ravens as slow starts have been an issue this season. The 22-9 win over the New York Giants last weekend represents Kansas City’s best point total of the season. Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson has thrown a league-high nine touchdown passes, is first with a 141.8 passer rating and hasn’t been intercepted. Ravens star running back Derrick Henry is fourth in the NFL with 242 rushing yards but his three fumbles (two lost) have tarnished his solid start.

Green Bay Packers (2-1) at Dallas Cowboys (1-2)

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Packers -6.5, Total 47.5

Series Rewind: Green Bay has never lost at AT&T Stadium. The Packers have won seven of the past eight meetings.

You might have heard the Packers are coming to Dallas and bringing an old friend to visit the Cowboys. Micah Parsons, the NFL leader in pass-rush pressures and the only player in the league with eight-plus pressures in multiple games this season, has a new crew and it includes the league leader in sacks (Rashan Gary, 4.5). Green Bay gives up 16 fewer points per game than the Cowboys (30.7) and arrives angry after laying an egg — much gentler terms than Parsons used — at Cleveland in a 13-10 loss last week. Dak Prescott is playing at a high level but Dallas went scoreless in the second half of both losses. CeeDee Lamb (ankle) won’t play this week and the Cowboys are down key personnel on the offensive line. The shuffled starting 11 on offense features George Pickens as the No. 1 wide receiver; TE Jake Ferguson (13 catches last week) will have a bigger share of the play-call sheet this week, according to coach Brian Schottenheimer. Dallas’ best weapon has been the ground game with a rejuvenated Javonte Williams averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Jordan Love is also behind a modified blocking scheme because of injuries. Against a Dallas front adding Jadeveon Clowney, Love figures to let it fly after the Cowboys’ pass defense was roasted by the Giants and Bears.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) vs. Denver Broncos (1-2)

Monday, 7:15 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Broncos -7.5, Total 43.5

Series Rewind: It’s their fourth meeting on “Monday Night Football,” with the Bengals winning in 2004 and 2014 and the Broncos victorious in Week 16 of their Super Bowl season in 2015.

It’s a rematch of last season’s Week 17 thriller, when Broncos QB Bo Nix tied it with a 25-yard TD to Marvin Mims Jr. with eight seconds left in regulation, only to fall 30-24 on Joe Burrow’s short TD pass to Tee Higgins with 1:07 left in overtime. This time, Burrow-less Cincinnati limps into Denver still smarting from the most lopsided loss in franchise history: 48-10 last weekend at Minnesota. Despite their winning record, the Bengals have been outscored 91-58 and have more turnovers (eight) than touchdowns (seven). They’ll need a whopper from Ja’Marr Chase, who has 43 catches for 585 yards and five TDs in four appearances on “MNF.” Nix is 6-0 with a 102.6 rating in his last six home starts for the Broncos. J.K. Dobbins has rushed 33 times for 294 yards (8.9 average) and four TDs against the Bengals while going 4-0 in his career.

New York Jets (0-3) at Miami Dolphins (0-3)

Monday, 7:15 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Dolphins -2.5, Total 44.5

Series Rewind: Miami is 4-1 in the past five games against the Jets, who claimed a 32-20 win in the 2024 regular-season finale.

The loser will be looking at an 0-4 start and the knowledge it is OK to start focusing on 2026 draft preparations. Miami badly needs to win this contest or coach Mike McDaniel will see the heat pick up. The Dolphins have allowed more than 30 points in each of their three games, and the offensive precision has dipped. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has thrown five touchdown passes but has been picked off four times. Tyreek Hill is averaging 13.2 yards per catch but has just 198 receiving yards. Linebacker Bradley Chubb always goes all-out and has three of the team’s six sacks. The Jets might be going with Tyrod Taylor for the second straight week after fellow quarterback Justin Fields sustained a concussion in Week 2. Taylor helped New York overcome a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit last week before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walked it off with a 29-27 victory. Receiver Garrett Wilson (229 on 21 catches) is the only Jet with more than 80 yards or in double digits in receptions. Putting LB Quincy Williams (shoulder) on injured reserve is a blow for the Jets’ defense.

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RYDER BUB-KIS

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OLD BETHPAGE – (Wire Service Report) – Team Europe is all but assured to win the 45th Ryder Cup after Saturday’s one-sided show at Bethpage Black, leaving more spotlight on the home fans’ interactions with Rory McIlroy.

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The Europeans and captain Luke Donald hold a commanding 11 1/2-4 1/2 lead over the United States team ahead of Sunday’s 12 singles matches. They need 2 1/2 points from those matches to retain the Cup and three points to win outright.

On Saturday morning, Europe became the first visiting team in Ryder Cup history to win the first three sessions when it took morning foursomes 3-1. McIlroy and company made it four straight sessions with another 3-1 edge in the afternoon fourball.

Team Europe seemed to make every putt it needed, which the statistics bore out. According to the website Data Golf, Europe is a whopping 9.55 strokes better than the U.S. on the greens this week, including 4.39 strokes gained during Saturday’s fourballs alone.

“These guys are 12 very able guys that know how to prepare and get ready. Certainly I’m not going to take credit for that,” captain Luke Donald said. “That is more about their grit and their determination to hole those putts more than anything.”

They did so in the face of raucous American fans who tried their best to counter European songs with more pointed barbs.

McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Shane Lowry of Ireland defeated Justin Thomas and Cameron Young, 2 up, in the face of constant jeering that prompted extra security guards and around 10 state troopers to join the match at the turn.

The crowd chanted “(Expletive) you, Rory” at the first tee and elsewhere on the course. Another popular chant was “U.S. Open, U.S. Open,” a reference to McIlroy squandering leads there in 2023 and 2024.

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On the 16th hole of his foursomes match, McIlroy yelled at fans to “shut the (expletive) up” when fans heckled while he was addressing his ball. He proceeded to stuff his approach shot to 3 feet, setting up Tommy Fleetwood’s clinching putt in a 3-and-2 win over Harris English and Collin Morikawa.

“Look, in between shots, say whatever you want to me. That’s totally fine,” McIlroy said after that win. “But just let us — you gave us the respect to let us hit shots, and give us the same chance that the Americans have, I guess.”

At the ninth green of the fourball match, Thomas signaled to the U.S. fans to be quiet for McIlroy. Word trickled out to the fans on social media that their heckling was becoming the focus of the day. “Don’t say anything naughty about Rory,” one American fan said sarcastically.

McIlroy released some emotion with a yell at the par-3 14th, where he rolled in his first birdie of the afternoon to put Europe 1 up.

At the par-3 17th, Thomas spun his tee shot to 13 inches of the cup and Europe conceded the birdie. McIlroy was loudly heckled up to the moment he hit his birdie try, which slid past. But Lowry sank his birdie to halve the hole, and the pair of friends finished the job at No. 18.

“When you play an away Ryder Cup, it’s really, really challenging,” McIlroy said. “It’s not for me to say. You know, people can be their own judge of whether they took it too far or not. I’m just proud of us for being able to win today with what we had to go through.”

It also got feisty in the second match, in which Fleetwood and countryman Justin Rose prevailed 3 and 2 over the Americans’ stars, Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau.

Fleetwood and DeChambeau got in a shouting match as they walked to the 16th tee, with Scheffler’s caddie Ted Scott also involved. The spat began on the previous green.

“I was waiting to putt,” Rose said. “The (Americans) were obviously working on their read … so I sort of waited a few seconds and then I felt like they came up again and I was sort of — I questioned whether — I was like, ‘It’s my putt, right?’ Or however I said it.”

“Maybe I didn’t say it as politely as I could have said it in the moment, but by no means was there any disrespect or anything like that, but obviously it was taken the wrong way.”

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DeChambeau didn’t address the confrontation afterwards.

Outplayed and outmaneuvered all weekend, Keegan Bradley and the Americans would need to make history to pull off a comeback. The largest Saturday margin overcome in Ryder Cup history was 10-6 — by the U.S. in 1999, and by Europe in 2012.

A home-team winning streak is also in jeopardy; Europe’s last Ryder Cup win in the U.S. came in 2012 at Medinah.

“I think anytime at a Ryder Cup, the captain is to blame or to be celebrated,” Bradley said. “So we all have to do a better job, but most importantly I have to do a better job as a captain, and you know, who knows, I feel like the guys have played pretty well. The Europeans have just played, like, way better.

“Sometimes that happens, but we’ve still got another day. Who knows? You never know. We can go out there and win. What do we got to win, 10? Wild stuff happens in sports all the time.”

J.J. Spaun prevented a shutout when he birdied Nos. 17 and 18 to turn a 1-down deficit into a 1-up win alongside Xander Schauffele over Spaniard Jon Rahm and Austrian Sepp Straka.

The last match also arrived at No. 18 all square, and Englishmen Matt Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton hit identical approaches within 3 feet of the cup, Hatton’s ball kissing Fitzpatrick’s. Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns couldn’t make birdie, handing Europe a 1-up victory.

Hatton was a late substitute for Norway’s Viktor Hovland, who aggravated a neck injury during morning foursomes and is questionable to play Sunday.

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World No. 1 Scheffler has had a nightmare week, becoming the first player since the Ryder Cup format changed in 1979 to go 0-4 in the opening four sessions of the event. He will face McIlroy in singles on Sunday.

-Field Level Media

Ryder Cup: Hatton for Hovland

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OLD BETHPAGE – (Wire Service Report) – Englishman Tyrrell Hatton stepped onto the first tee instead of Norwegian star Viktor Hovland for the final fourball match of the Ryder Cup Saturday afternoon.

Minutes before the 1:13 p.m. ET tee time, it was announced that Hovland was scratched due to a neck injury.

Hovland was slated to play alongside another Englishman, Matt Fitzpatrick, against Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay.

The 28-year-old played in the morning foursomes sessions with Robert MacIntyre of Scotland. They beat Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley, 1 up.

Hovland later told reporters it was the same injury that caused him to withdraw from the Travelers Championship in late June, something that’s bothered him “on and off.” Hovland took painkillers and received physio treatment during his foursomes match.

“I didn’t want to risk it for the match in case it got worse, and I couldn’t continue, especially in fourballs when you are hitting every shot,” Hovland said.

Hovland’s availability for Sunday is now in doubt.

“I’m going to get some treatment this afternoon and tonight and hopefully I will be OK for the singles tomorrow,” he said.

If he cannot play, the United States team will have to select a player to scratch, and the canceled match will go down as a half-point for each side. Both captains must put a player’s name in a sealed envelope ahead of time in the event of an injury.

Hovland was the 2023 FedEx Cup champion on the PGA Tour and is playing in his third Ryder Cup. Hatton, meanwhile, is playing his first fourball session of the week after going 2-0-0 with Spaniard Jon Rahm in a pair of foursomes matches.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox Clinch AL Wild Card

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By TERRY LYONS, Editor of Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – Break out the swimming masks and the snorkel gear. Pop the bottles of Korbel. The Boston Red Sox will be playing postseason baseball in 2025.

On June 6th, the Red Sox lost a 9-6 game to the New York Yankees and fell to 30-35 and 10.5 games out of first place. On September 26, the Red Sox fell behind the Detroit Tigers, 3-0, in the 4th inning. It looked as though they’d need a win on Saturday or Sunday, the final day of the Major League Baseball regular season, to secure the Wild Card berth that hung like a slow curve ball, only because the Houston Astros dropped six of their last 10 games.

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That put the Red Sox in control of their own destiny as the Friday night lights shined upon Fenway and a season-ending three game set against the Tigers began.

Detroit had spent all but six days of the season tied or in sole possession of first place in the American League Central Division. The club went 59-34 in their first 93 games of the season which took them to July 8. They’ve gone 27-40 ever since, including the fact they’ve dropped 12 of their last 14 games and 21 of their last 29 games.

That opened the door for the red hot Cleveland Guardians to grab honors atop the Central as Toronto and New York battle it out for honors atop the AL East. Seattle holds first place and had already cliched a bye along side of the East division champ. All the others, minus Houston will play with a deck filled with wild cards.

Boston earned the postseason berth when centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela cracked a ball off the center field wall, just over the outstretched glove of Tigers centerfielder Parker Meadows. One more inch, and we’d be reading and writing about Saturday.

Boston will see Postseason play for the first time since 2021, not all that long ago. But, Friday night’s big win in front of a sold out crowd of 37.052 at Fenway marked the first time since at least 1920 that the club earned a playoff berth via a walk-off RBI, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

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Instead, Boston’s Romy Gonzalez rounded the bases to score, giving the Red Sox a 4-3 “walk-off” victory. The hit marked Rafaela’s third walk-off RBI of the 2025 season and the 12th walk-off RBI for the Red Sox this season. Gonzalez had singled to start the one-out rally in the bottom of the ninth.

Boston scored single runs in the 7th, 8th and 9th inning to earn the victory.

Masataka Yoshida continued his hot-hitting ways as the team’s designated hitter. He went three-for-four with an RBI single in the 4th inning and a run scored in the 7th. Left fielder Jarren Duran slapped an RBI single in the 8th inning, scoring Nate Eaton who had pinch-run for Carlos Narvaez who singled and allowed Boston to tie the game at 3-3.

Boston spotted Detroit a three-run lead in fourth inning of this September night. Starting pitcher Kyle Harrison had held Detroit scoreless for three innings, striking out six Tigers batters. But he allowed five consecutive batters to reach base in the 4th inning, via four hits and a walk. Harrison gave way to Justin Slaten and he retired three of the four batters he faced to put the fire out.

Sox manager Alex Cora used six pitchers in relief of Harrison. Closer Aroldis Chapman (5-3) earned the victory after blanking Detroit in the top of the 9th inning, striking out the final two batters he faced.

Detroit’s reliever, Tommy Kahnle (1-5) took the loss, the fifth walk-off loss of the season coughed up by the Tigers. Detroit is now 6-16 (.272) in the month of September as they fight off the law of averages and steep competition in the postseason, most likely as the 6th seed and final Wild Card berth in the AL.

Boston has won seven of their last 11 games, and 13 of their last 23. The club went (6-5) in their Fenway Green uniforms, but each of the six victories came in “walk-off” fashion.

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You just might wonder if they’ll wear them on the road in the Wild Card round of the Postseason?

Playoff Picture On Line at Fenway

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BOSTON – (Wire Service Report) – The American League playoff picture will be in full focus as the Boston Red Sox host the Detroit Tigers in a regular season-ending, three-game series beginning on Friday night.

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The teams holding the final two wild-card spots had opposite Thursday results, with the Red Sox (87-72) missing an opportunity to officially clinch their first postseason berth in three years via a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays, losing 6-1 in the series finale. Their magic number is still one; a win or a Houston Astros loss to the Los Angeles Angels would do the trick.

“Just one of those nights,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “We’ve put ourselves in a good position, yet we know what we have to do and it’s going to be at Fenway Park.”

Detroit (86-73), meanwhile, snapped an eight-game skid with a 4-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians, leaving the two teams tied atop the Central entering the weekend after the Tigers had a double-digit lead in the division as recently as Sept. 3.

After winning their first two games in Toronto by a combined 11-2 score, the Red Sox were hitless until the seventh inning on Thursday. Jarren Duran doubled and scored the lone Red Sox run on a Trevor Story single.

Story is four RBI away from his first 100-RBI season since 2018 and just the second of his career.

On the mound, Kyle Harrison (1-1, 3.58 ERA) looks to continue making his case for October when he makes his third appearance and second start with Boston on Friday.

The 23-year-old southpaw, who was part of the Rafael Devers trade in June, pitched six innings of one-run ball last Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Cora called it an “amazing” debut start with the club.

“His strike-throwing with the fastball is legit. And when he’s around the zone, he’s tough to hit,” Cora added. “He was under control.”

Prior to last weekend, Harrison had not pitched since a three-inning relief outing on Sept. 10 against the Athletics. He has never faced Detroit.

“I’m just glad they had the confidence in me, and I was glad that I was able to deliver in that moment,” Harrison said.

The Red Sox are trusting Harrison in a key situation against Detroit, which scored five runs in its previous three games before tagging Cleveland lefty Parker Messick for three homers in four innings out of the gates on Thursday.

Solo shots by leadoff-hitting Jahmai Jones and Wenceel Perez made it 2-0 in the first, while Riley Greene added his team-leading 36th homer of the season in the fourth.

“Look, everybody needs to see a little positivity in the game,” Detroit manager AJ Hinch said. “We’re human. We feed off a ton of things, including the good things. Of course I think everyone took a collective breath and said, ‘Here we go.’”

A handful of relievers clinched the much-needed win behind rookie Troy Melton, who lasted 3 2/3 innings. Will Vest struck out the side in the ninth.

It was Tigers’ first triumph since Sept. 14 and just their fifth in 20 September games.

“It felt like a weight was lifted off our shoulders and we’re back on track,” Melton said. “We know we’re a good baseball team.”

Despite the team’s September struggles, Casey Mize (14-6, 3.91 ERA) has gone five innings and allowed no more than three runs in each of his four starts. The first two were wins.

Mize has a pair of eight-strikeout efforts this month and has 14 outings with five or more this season, which was his total across 5 2/3 Sunday innings against the Atlanta Braves.

“The opportunity’s still in front of us, as bad as it’s been,” Mize said after his last start.

Mize, a 2025 AL All-Star, is 0-1 with a 4.29 ERA in four career starts against Boston.

-Field Level Media

Europe Makes a Stand

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OLD BETHPAGE (NY) – Europe’s Rory McIlroy stared down USA veteran Patrick Cantlay through the home stretch and made sure a European advantage wouldn’t be dented at the last moment.

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Thanks to stellar performances from McIlroy, Jon Rahm and their compatriots, Team Europe leads the United States team 5 1/2-2 1/2 after the opening day of the 45th Ryder Cup on Friday at Bethpage Black, one of the toughest golf course in the USA and a public course at that.

Europe led 3-1 after foursomes (or alternate shot) in the morning and the United States scored the first point of fourball (best ball) to make it closer. But the other three matches were under some degree of European control.

Spanish star Rahm and Austria’s Sepp Straka closed out a 3-and-2 win over Scottie Scheffler and J.J. Spaun. Then, Justin Rose’s birdie putt at No. 18 sealed a 1-up win for him and fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood against Bryson DeChambeau and Ben Griffin. Fleetwood birdied Nos. 11, 14 and 16 to put them at dormie with two holes to go.

Cantlay and Sam Burns played the anchor match against Northern Ireland’s McIlroy and Irishman Shane Lowry. Cantlay tied the match singlehandedly by birdieing Nos. 10, 12 and 13 around a birdie at No. 11 by Lowry.

They stayed all square when Cantlay’s putt lipped out at No. 14, and again when McIlroy followed Cantlay’s 18-foot birdie at No. 16 with a birdie putt of his own. At the par-3 17th, McIlroy and Burns drained birdie putts, leaving the final point hanging in the balance at No. 18.

After Cantlay dumped his approach into a bunker, Burns and McIlroy had identical 11 1/2-foot putts for birdie. Neither managed to convert, making it the first halved match of the week.

Cameron Young stood out for the U.S. in his first Ryder Cup match. After sitting out morning foursomes, the native of Scarborough, N.Y. teamed with Justin Thomas on a 6-and-5 drubbing of Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg and Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard.

Young, who won the New York State Open at Bethpage Black as an amateur, picked up four holes for his team, including Nos. 12 and 13 to end the match early.

Scheffler and DeChambeau, considered the Americans’ two best players, combined to go 0-4-0 on the day. In foursomes, Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton of England took down DeChambeau and Thomas, 4 and 3, while Aberg and England’s Matt Fitzpatrick prevailed 5 and 3 over Scheffler and Russell Henley.

Per Elias Sports Bureau, Scheffler joins Ian Woosnam (1991) and Tiger Woods (1999, 2002) as the only players ranked No. 1 in the world to lose twice on the first day of a Ryder Cup.

– Field Level Media

 

Weather Will Be a Factor at Ryder Cup

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BETHPAGE – (Staff Report with assistance from Grok AI) – The Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from the United States and Europe, featuring a unique match-play format that emphasizes team strategy and head-to-head battles. Played over three days, typically Friday to Sunday, the event consists of 28 total matches, each worth 1 point toward the team total (with halved matches awarding ½ point to each team). To win the Cup, a team must reach at least 14½ points out of the 28 available; if the score ends tied at 14–14, the defending team retains the Cup. The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black Course follows the standard format, split into two types of team play (foursomes and four-ball) and a final day of singles matches.

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The inclement weather forecast for Long Island will be a major factor in this competition, with the Europeans usually having the edge in the rain.

The Opening Ceremony, originally scheduled for Thursday afternoon, has been moved up a day to Wednesday, Sept. 24th.

Here’s a clear breakdown of how the matches are structured:

Day 1 (Friday) and Day 2 (Saturday): Team Matches

Each of the first two days features eight matches, divided into two sessions of four matches each, using two distinct team formats:

  1. Foursomes (Morning Sessions, 8 matches total over two days)
    • Structure: Two players per team form a pair, sharing one ball and alternating shots. One player tees off on odd-numbered holes, the other on even-numbered holes, and they alternate strokes until the ball is holed.
    • Scoring: The pair with the lowest score on a hole wins it. The match ends when one team is ahead by more holes than remain (e.g., 4-up with 3 holes left). If the match is tied after 18 holes, it’s halved.
    • Strategy: Foursomes demand precision and chemistry, as a single errant shot affects the pair. Captains often pair players with complementary styles (e.g., a steady player with a risk-taker).
    • Example: If Team USA’s Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa score a 4 on a par-4 hole against Europe’s Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm’s 5, the U.S. pair wins the hole.
    • 2025 Note: The U.S., as the home team, chose to start with foursomes in 2025, leveraging their historical edge in this format (e.g., 6–2 at Whistling Straits in 2021).
  2. Four-Ball (Afternoon Sessions, 8 matches total over two days)
    • Structure: Two players per team play their own ball, and the lowest score among the four players on a hole counts for the team. Each match pits two players from the U.S. against two from Europe.
    • Scoring: Same as foursomes—lowest score wins the hole, and the match goes to the team that wins the most holes (or halves if tied after 18).
    • Strategy: Four-ball rewards aggressive play, as each player can go for birdies without relying on a partner’s shot. It’s a chance for big hitters or hot putters to shine.
    • Example: If Europe’s Tommy Fleetwood scores a 3 and his partner Viktor Hovland scores a 4 on a hole, while both U.S. players score 4s, Europe wins the hole with Fleetwood’s 3.
    • 2025 Note: Europe often excels here, as seen in their 6–2 four-ball rout in 2023 at Marco Simone.

Each day, four foursomes matches and four four-ball matches are played, totaling 16 team matches across the two days. Each team’s 12 players are rotated strategically by the captain, with some playing both sessions and others resting (no player can play all eight matches on a single day). The home team captain (U.S. in 2025) decides whether foursomes or four-ball goes first each day.

Day 3 (Sunday): Singles Matches

  • Structure: All 12 players from each team compete in individual head-to-head matches, making for 12 total singles matches. Each player plays their own ball against one opponent from the opposing team.
  • Scoring: Like the team formats, the player with the lowest score on a hole wins it. The match ends when one player is ahead by more holes than remain or halves if tied after 18 holes.
  • Strategy: Captains submit their lineup order blindly, aiming to stack early matches with strong players to set the tone or place anchors late to secure or overturn leads. Singles are high-pressure, as there’s no partner to lean on, and momentum can swing dramatically.
  • Example: If Xander Schauffele beats Ludvig Åberg 1-up after 18 holes, the U.S. earns 1 point. A 3-and-2 win (3 holes ahead with 2 left) also yields 1 point.
  • 2025 Note: Singles often decide the Cup, as seen in 2012’s “Miracle at Medinah” when Europe overcame a 10–6 deficit by winning 8½ of the 12 Sunday points.

Key Details

  • Match Play Basics: Unlike stroke play (where total strokes over 72 holes matter), Ryder Cup matches focus on winning individual holes. Scores are relative only to the opponent in that match, not the field. A team can win a match with a high score if their opponent scores higher.
  • Points System: Each of the 28 matches (8 foursomes, 8 four-balls, 12 singles) awards 1 point to the winning team, ½ point each for a tie. The first team to 14½ points wins; a 14–14 tie means the defending team (Europe in 2025) keeps the Cup.
  • Captain’s Role: Captains like Keegan Bradley (U.S.) and Luke Donald (Europe) select pairings and lineups, balancing player form, course fit (Bethpage’s long, punishing layout favors power), and chemistry. They also use wild-card picks to finalize their 12-man rosters.
  • No Prize Money: The Ryder Cup is about pride, not cash—players compete for their team and continent, adding to the event’s intensity.

This format, unchanged since 1979 when Europe replaced Great Britain/Ireland, creates a pressure cooker unlike any other in golf. Foursomes test teamwork, four-ball showcases individual brilliance, and singles deliver raw, do-or-die battles. At Bethpage Black in 2025, expect the format’s blend of strategy and spectacle to amplify the drama, with every hole a potential turning point in the quest for the golden trophy.

2025 Ryder Cup: Team USA

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Introduction to the 2025 United States Ryder Cup Team

The 2025 Ryder Cup, the 45th edition of golf’s most intense team competition, marks a pivotal moment for the United States. Hosted at the formidable Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York—from September 26-28—the Americans aim to reclaim the trophy lost to Europe in a 16.5-11.5 defeat at Marco Simone in 2023. As the home team, the U.S. enters with a storied advantage: Their captain, Keegan Bradley could’ve named himself as a player but unselfishly chose not to play and concentrate on the duties of a Ryder Cup Captain; Bradley graduated college from nearby St. John’s University and played Bethpage Black for practice rounds; they’ve only lost four times on home soil in the event’s 98-year history, including dominant wins of 19-9 in 2021 at Whistling Straits and 17-11 in 2016 at Hazeltine. Europe, led by captain Luke Donald, seeks a historic road victory—their first since the 2012 “Miracle at Medinah.”

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Team USA’s roster blends the world’s top-ranked talent with seasoned match-play performers and hungry rookies, captained by the youngest U.S. skipper since Arnold Palmer in 1963. With Scottie Scheffler anchoring the squad after a six-win season, the Americans are favored at -130 to -145 odds across major sportsbooks, implying a 56-59% win probability. This preview dives into the team’s leadership, qualification process, player profiles, course fit, and outlook.

Captain and Vice Captains
Captain: Keegan Bradley (Age 39)
Bradley, a 2011 PGA Championship winner and two-time Ryder Cup player (4-3-0 record in 2012 and 2014), was a surprise PGA of America selection in July 2024. His youth and passion for team golf—evident in his vice-captain role at the 2023 Presidents Cup—position him to foster unity after the 2023 infighting. Bradley opted not to name himself as a player, prioritizing team balance, and announced his captain’s picks on August 27 in Frisco, Texas. “This team has a strong blend of veterans and rookies,” he said, emphasizing match-play prowess for Bethpage’s demanding layout.

Vice Captains:
Bradley assembled a five-man staff with deep Ryder Cup roots to guide pairings and strategy:

Jim Furyk: 559 appearances (10-20-4); 2018 U.S. captain; 4x vice captain (wins in 2016, 2021)

Webb Simpson: 403 appearances (7-5-2); 2012 U.S. Open champ; first-time vice captain

Brandt Snedeker: 442 appearances (4-2-0); 3-0-0 in 2016; strong in team formats

Kevin Kisner: 41 None (Ryder); 2 Presidents Cups2024 Presidents vice; match-play specialist

Gary Woodland: 412 appearances (1-3-0); 2019 U.S. Open champ; mental health advocate

This group brings 21 combined Ryder Cup appearances, focusing on mental preparation and leveraging Bethpage’s home-crowd energy.

Qualification Process
The U.S. team was finalized via a points-based system announced in October 2024, emphasizing performance from late 2024 through August 17, 2025 (post-BMW Championship). Points were awarded as follows:

2024 Majors & The Players: 1 point per $1,000 earned.
2025 Majors: 1.5 points per $1,000 earned.
PGA Tour Events (Jan-Aug 2025): 1 point per $1,000 earned (no points for alternates).

The top six earners automatically qualified, with captain Bradley selecting the final six on August 27. This yielded a mix of six qualifiers and six picks, prioritizing form, match-play history, and course fit.
Final U.S. Ryder Cup Points Standings (Top 6 Qualifiers):

Automatic Qualifiers:

Player Age Ryder Cups (Record) 2025 Highlights World Ranking Strengths for Bethpage
Scottie Scheffler 29 2 (2-2-3) 6 wins (PGA, Open, BMW, etc.); No missed cuts since Mar. 1 Ball-striking machine; handles pressure
J.J. Spaun 35 Rookie U.S. Open win; 5 top-3s; breakout from obscurity 7 Precision irons; thrives on tough setups like Oakmont
Xander Schauffele 31 2 (4-4-0) No wins; rib injury sidelined early; T10 in 2 majors 3 Clutch putter; 3-1 at home Ryder Cups
Russell Henley 36 Rookie Arnold Palmer win; 10 top-10s; 2 runners-up 9 Elite irons/short game; accurate on long, penal course
Harris English 36 1 (1-2-0) Farmers Ins. win; 4 top-10s 20 Veteran steadiness; top-20 putter
Bryson DeChambeau 31 2 (3-2-1) U.S. Open win; 5 major top-10s (LIV-limited points) 17 Power off tee; 2-0-1 at home

Captain’s Picks:

Player Age Ryder Cups (Record) 2025 Highlights World Ranking Strengths for Bethpage
Sam Burns 29 1 (1-2-0) 6 top-10s; No. 1 SG: Putting (0.924) 15 Elite putter; birdie-maker in four-ball
Patrick Cantlay 33 2 (5-2-1) No wins; top match-player (2023 leader) 5 Cool under fire; 2-0 singles wins
Ben Griffin 29 Rookie 2 wins (Zurich, Schwab); 10 top-10s; from 65th to 17th OWGR 17 Hot streak (11 top-15 in last 13); Zurich team format win
Collin Morikawa 28 2 (3-3-2) No wins; top irons; T2 PGA & Open 8 Approach wizard; 4-1 Presidents Cup
Justin Thomas 32 3 (7-4-3) Back in top-10 OWGR; energy leader 10 Ryder Cup fire; 4-1-1 at home
Cameron Young 28 Rookie 1st PGA win (Wyndham by 6); 4 straight top-12s; NY native 25 Length + putting; won 2017 NY State Open at Bethpage

Team Composition Notes:

  • Experience Balance: 8 returnees (avg. 2.25 appearances) vs. 4 rookies; 7 from 2021 winners.
  • Power vs. Precision: DeChambeau/Scheffler provide distance for Bethpage’s 7,400+ yards; Henley/Morikawa excel in accuracy on its narrow, bunkered fairways.
  • Format Fit: Strong putters (Burns, English) for four-ball birdie fests; Cantlay/Thomas for singles grit.

Bethpage Black: Course Fit and Strategy

Bethpage Black, A.W. Tillinghast’s 1936 masterpiece, is a public beast: long par-4s, elevated greens, and pervasive bunkers demand straight drives and iron precision. Past U.S. Open (2002, 2009) and PGA (2019) host, it’s set at ~7,400 yards with firm, fast greens (est. 13-14 on Stimpmeter). Low rough favors ball-strikers like Scheffler (No. 1 SG: Total) and Morikawa (top-5 SG: Approach).

Bradley plans aggressive pairings: Scheffler-Cantlay for foursomes stability; Burns-Young for four-ball firepower. Home fans (expected 50,000+ daily) could amplify the rowdy atmosphere, but Europe thrives in chaos. Weather forecast: Mild 70s, low wind—ideal for scoring.

Outlook and Predictions

The U.S. enters as -130 favorites (vs. Europe’s +110; tie +1100), with a projected 15-13 win the most bet line (+1000). Scheffler’s form (6 wins, incl. 2 majors) could net 3.5+ points, but his 0-2-2 in 2023 foursomes is a concern. Rookies like Spaun and Griffin add momentum, while Cantlay (+800 top scorer odds) and Thomas bring proven Ryder magic (Thomas: 4-1-1 home).

Key Predictions:

  • U.S. Win Margin: 15.5-12.5 (U.S. edges Day 1 4-2, dominates singles 7-5).
  • Top U.S. Scorer: Patrick Cantlay (3.5 points; 5-2-1 career).
  • Rookie Star: J.J. Spaun (2.5 points; U.S. Open grit translates).
  • X-Factor: Bryson DeChambeau’s power vs. Europe’s continuity (10 from 2023 roster).

If Bradley harnesses unity and home edge, the U.S. reclaims the Cup. But Europe’s depth (McIlroy, Rahm) could force a tie or upset. Expect drama – 28 points on the line, but intangibles decide it.

Tune in on NBC/Golf Channel for what could be golf’s fiercest battle yet.

2025 Ryder Cup: Team Europe

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Team Europe Preview:

The 2025 Ryder Cup, set for September 26-28 at the formidable Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York, marks the 45th edition of this storied biennial match-play showdown between the United States and Europe. As defending champions after a commanding 16.5-11.5 victory in Rome in 2023, Team Europe enters as underdogs on American soil—a role they haven’t embraced since the “Miracle at Medinah” in 2012, their last away win. Under returning captain Luke Donald, Europe boasts a squad of 11 returnees from 2023, blending battle-tested veterans, in-form stars, and one promising rookie. This near-identical lineup emphasizes continuity and experience, aiming to defy history where no visiting team has won since 2012. With a star-studded core led by Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm, Europe’s mission is to retain the Cup by securing at least 14 points from 28 available matches, while the U.S. needs 14.5 to reclaim it.

Captain and Vice-Captains

Luke Donald, the Englishman who masterminded Europe’s 2023 triumph, returns as captain—the first European to do so since Bernard Gallacher in 1993. Donald’s calm leadership, honed from four winning appearances as a player (2004-2012, 10.5 points in 15 matches), was pivotal in Rome. He prioritizes meticulous preparation, player psychology, and strategic pairings, viewing the away challenge as “the kind of thing that motivates me.” For 2025, Donald assembled a vice-captain brain trust blending fresh perspectives with proven Ryder Cup pedigree:

Vice-Captain Nationality Ryder Cup Experience as Player Notable Roles
Thomas Bjørn Denmark 7 appearances (1997-2014), 3 wins Captained 2018 winning team; vice-captain in 2023
Alex Norén Sweden 1 appearance (2018, 2-1-0) First-time vice-captain; brings current PGA Tour insight
Edoardo Molinari Italy 3 appearances (2010-2018) Vice-captain in 2023; analytics expert
José María Olazábal Spain 7 appearances (1987-2006), 4 wins Captained 2012 Medinah miracle; 5th vice-captain stint
Francesco Molinari Italy 4 appearances (2010-2023) Vice-captain in 2023; 2018 hero with 4-1 record

This group, with over 20 collective Ryder Cup wins, provides tactical depth, especially for Bethpage’s length and aggression, while Paul McGinley serves as a strategic advisor to counter the hostile crowd.

The 12-Man Team

Europe’s roster features six automatic qualifiers from the unified Ryder Cup Points List (top earners across majors, PGA/DP World Tours, and Rolex Series events through August 2025) and six captain’s picks, announced September 1. It’s the least-changed European team in history, with only Rasmus Højgaard replacing his twin Nicolai as the sole rookie. The group averages 4.3 prior appearances and a collective 80+ points from past Cups, underscoring depth. Key highlights include McIlroy’s career Grand Slam completion and multiple 2025 wins across the squad.

Player Nationality OWGR (as of Sept 2025) Ryder Cup Appearances (Record) 2025 Highlights
Automatic Qualifiers
Rory McIlroy Northern Ireland 1st (projected) 7 (16-13-4) 4 wins (incl. Masters for career Slam); dominated points list
Robert MacIntyre Scotland 9th 1 (2-1-1 in 2023) 2 PGA Tour wins; entered top-10 in August
Tommy Fleetwood England 6th 3 (7-3-2) FedExCup champ; multiple top-10s
Justin Rose England 25th 6 (14-9-3) FedEx St. Jude win; consistent majors
Tyrrell Hatton England 12th 3 (5-4-2) Dubai Desert Classic win; T4 US Open
Rasmus Højgaard Denmark 35th Rookie 5 DPWT wins career; twin’s 2023 stand-in
Captain’s Picks
Shane Lowry Ireland 18th 2 (2-3-1) 2 PGA runner-ups; “infectious energy”
Jon Rahm Spain 4th 3 (7.5-4-3) 2nd straight LIV title; top-15 in 3 majors
Sepp Straka Austria 13th 1 (1-2-1 in 2023) 2 PGA wins; peaked at WR 7th
Viktor Hovland Norway 8th 2 (3-4-2) Multiple top-10s; strong irons
Ludvig Åberg Sweden 5th 1 (1-1-1 in 2023) Top-10 strokes gained; long-term star
Matt Fitzpatrick England 10th 2 (3-3-2) Steady PGA form; 2022 US Open champ

This lineup spans ages 24 (Højgaard) to 45 (Rose), with eight in the world’s top 20 for balance.

Key Players to Watch

  • Rory McIlroy: The talisman enters his eighth Cup on a high, fresh off four 2025 wins including the Masters—ending his Augusta drought and completing the Grand Slam. With 18 career points (Europe’s 8th all-time), his volatility could swing matches; expect him anchoring Friday/Saturday and facing a top U.S. seed Sunday. His rivalry with Scottie Scheffler adds fireworks.
  • Jon Rahm: A match-play maestro (7.5 points in 14 matches), Rahm’s second LIV title and major consistency make him indispensable. Paired with Hatton or McIlroy, his power suits Bethpage’s 7,400+ yards.
  • Tommy Fleetwood: The FedExCup king brings composure (7-3-2 record) and elite ball-striking. His 2025 breakthrough signals readiness for prime-time pairings.
  • Rasmus Højgaard: The wildcard rookie mirrors Nicolai’s game but adds birdie-making flair. Limited to four-ball sessions to ease pressure.

Team Strengths and Weaknesses

Europe’s squad is a masterclass in cohesion, but the road test exposes vulnerabilities.

Strengths:

  • Unmatched Experience: 11 from the 2023 winners average 4+ appearances; they’ve thrived in team formats (e.g., McIlroy/Fleetwood duo). This edges U.S. youth in pressure scenarios.
  • Form and Versatility: Eight reached the Tour Championship; strengths in irons (Hovland, Åberg) and short game (Lowry, Fitzpatrick) fit Bethpage’s demands. LIV stars like Rahm/Hatton add bomb-and-gouge power.
  • Leadership Core: Donald’s continuity fosters unity; veterans like Rose/Olazábal provide calm amid crowds.

Weaknesses:

  • Away Intimidation: Bethpage’s length favors bombers; Europe’s shorter hitters (e.g., Fleetwood) may struggle off the tee. No visitor has won here since 1993.
  • Rookie Reliance: Højgaard’s inexperience could falter in hostile singles; depth thins if stars like Hovland (recent swing tweaks) underperform.
  • Momentum Risk: Heavy favorites in Rome, but U.S. home dominance (27-15-2 all-time lead) and Scheffler’s aura loom large.
Aspect Strength Rating (1-10) Key Factor
Experience 9 11 returnees from 2023 win
Current Form 8 Multiple major/PGA winners
Course Fit 7 Irons excel; driving a concern
Team Chemistry 9 Donald’s proven system
Away Pressure 6 Untested since 2012

Outlook and Expectations

Europe arrives as a “more accomplished” unit than 2023, per McIlroy, with the talent to pull off an upset—potentially the closest Cup in a generation. Donald’s strategy: Lean on pods (McIlroy-Fleetwood, Rahm-Hatton) for early leads, save veterans for Sunday. A win would etch Donald alongside legends like Jack Nicklaus (back-to-back triumphs). Yet, Bethpage’s partisan roar and U.S. depth make 14 points a grind—expect drama, with McIlroy’s fire key to retention. As Paul McGinley notes, if the “Big Four” (McIlroy, Rahm, Fleetwood, Hatton) ignite, Europe could script history. Tune in for what promises to be golf’s ultimate theater.

Crochet Goes 8 Innings; Beats Jays

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TORONTO – (Wire Service Report) – Boston’s ace starter Garrett Crochet pitched eight scoreless innings, Carlos Narvaez hit a three-run home run and the visiting Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 7-1 on Wednesday night in Canada.

Crochet (18-5) allowed three hits and no walks while striking out six to lower his ERA to 2.59.

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Masataka Yoshida added a solo homer and an RBI double while Trevor Story contributed three hits to help the Red Sox (87-71) to their second straight win to open the three-game series. Romy Gonzalez had two hits and two RBIs.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa homered for Toronto in the ninth against Payton Tolle.

The Blue Jays (90-68) have lost six of their last seven games and have now fallen into a tie for first within their division. They began the day with a one-game lead over the New York Yankees in the American League East.

The Red Sox have won four of five as they close in on a postseason berth. The Blue Jays have clinched a playoff spot.

Boston scored three runs in the first inning against Max Scherzer (5-5). Story looped a single to left and took third on Alex Bregman’s single to right. Yoshida dumped an RBI double into the right-field corner and Gonzalez knocked a two-run single to left.

Crochet pitched around Ernie Clement’s double in the bottom of the first.

Yoshida led off the fifth with a blast to right on an 0-1 fastball for his third homer of the season.

Scherzer allowed four runs, 10 hits and no walks while striking out five in five innings before Brendon Little took over to toss a perfect sixth.

Toronto’s Jose Berrios entered in the seventh to make his first relief appearance since being sent to the bullpen from the starting rotation in a move looking forward to the postseason. Berrios started his first relief appearance since 2017 with a perfect inning with one strikeout.

In the eighth, however, Berrios allowed a single to Gonzalez, a walk to Ceddanne Rafaela and the 15th homer of the season by Narvaez, a shot to right with two out.

Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was ejected in the bottom of the seventh for arguing about a called third strike. Hitting coach David Popkins was also ejected.

Toronto’s Anthony Santander returned to the lineup for the first time since late May after missing nearly four months with left shoulder inflammation. He was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.

–Field Level Media