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2025 Ryder Cup

Europe Keeps the Ryder Cup

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OLD BETHPAGE – (Wire Service Report) – Shane Lowry of Ireland drained a 6-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to halve his match, and Team Europe survived a surprise rally by the United States team to retain the Ryder Cup on Sunday at Bethpage State Park’s famed Black course.

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As defending champions, the Europeans needed to reach just 14 points to ensure the Cup stayed with them. Despite starting the day just 2 1/2 points away, it took about five hours, 15 minutes from the first tee time before Europe finally clinched it.

Lowry entered No. 18 1 down in his match against Russell Henley, after Henley missed a 10-footer to put away the match at No. 17. Henley hit a remarkable shot from the sand onto the 18th green, only to miss another 10-footer to seal his victory.

Lowry drained his putt to give Team Europe the final half-point boost it needed to reach 14, and several teammates joined him on the green in raucous celebration.

It marks Team Europe’s 11th win in the last 15 Ryder Cups and its second in a row under captain Luke Donald of England.

The United States was outplayed throughout Friday and Saturday and needed 10 of an available 12 points to pull off the largest comeback in Ryder Cup history.

Despite clutch performances by Cameron Young, Justin Thomas and Scottie Scheffler — who won his first point after an 0-4-0 start — the Americans and first-time captain Keegan Bradley came up short and will have plenty to address before the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland.

The United States’ loss also ended a five-match winning streak for the hosts in the event. No visiting team had won the Ryder Cup since Europe’s “Miracle at Medinah” comeback in 2012.

Europe entered the day leading 11 1/2 points to 4 1/2, but the scoreline became 12-5 before a match began.

Norway’s Viktor Hovland withdrew from singles after hurting his neck Saturday morning and being unable to move it when he awoke Sunday. The U.S. took Harris English out of the lineup in the event’s rarely used “envelope rule,” and the match counted as a draw.

–Field Level Media

Ryder Cup | Sunday Pairings

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2025 RYDER CUP | 12 Sunday Pairings for Match Play

Match 1, 12:02 p.m. ET: Cameron Young (USA) vs. Justin Rose (EUR)
Match 2, 12:13 p.m. ET: Justin Thomas (USA) vs. Tommy Fleetwood (EUR)
Match 3, 12:24 p.m. ET: Bryson DeChambeau (USA) vs. Matt Fitzpatrick (EUR)
Match 4, 12:35 p.m. ET: Scottie Scheffler (USA) vs. Rory McIlroy (EUR)
Match 5, 12:46 p.m. ET: Patrick Cantlay (USA) vs. Ludvig Aberg (EUR)

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Match 6, 12:57 p.m. ET: Xander Schauffele (USA) vs. Jon Rahm (EUR)
Match 7, 1:08 p.m. ET: J.J. Spaun (USA) vs. Sepp Straka (EUR)
Match 8, 1:19 p.m. ET: Russell Henley (USA) vs. Shane Lowry (EUR)
Match 9, 1:30 p.m. ET: Ben Griffin (USA) v. Rasmus Højgaard (EUR)
Match 10, 1:41 p.m. ET: Collin Morikawa (USA) vs. Tyrrell Hatton (EUR)
Match 11, 1:52 p.m. ET: Sam Burns (USA) vs. Robert MacIntyre (EUR)
Match 12, 2:03 p.m. ET: Harris English (USA) vs. Viktor Hovland (EUR)

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

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.