The Ryder Cup is one of the most anticipated events in golf, which happens every two years…and we are BACK BABY! Welcome to the 2025 edition at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York.
As history may suggest, the U.S. team will have the advantage of the raucous home crowds. While Europe arrives with plans of their own to keep the cup and win on U.S. soil for the first time since 2012 at Medinah.
Europe should arrive with confidence after a dominant showing in 2023 led by Rory McIlroy. Both rosters are loaded with stars and rising talent, and the atmosphere at Bethpage will be a can’t-miss event this weekend!
Recap of the 2023 Ryder Cup & Historical Stats
Two years ago in Rome, Team Europe regained the Cup with a convincing 16.5–11.5 victory. Team Europe made a statement from the opening match on Friday, sweeping the Friday morning foursomes 4-0 (only the fourth time a side has swept the morning matches). From that point forward, the Americans could never quite catch up.
Team Europe jumped out to another huge lead after taking the Saturday morning foursomes session 3-1. That gave the Europeans a seven-point lead heading into Saturday's session 2, putting pressure on the Americans to be nearly perfect the rest of the way.
Europe never let go of its lead; leader Rory McIlroy went 4-1 in his 5 matches, leading team Europe, while Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton gained 3.5 points just behind Rory’s 4. Jon Rahm delivered as well, lagging just behind, putting in 3 points himself.
Historically, the United States still holds the all-time edge, with 27 wins to Europe’s 15 (plus two ties). However, since 2002, Europe has captured eight of the last eleven Ryder Cups, winning two out of three on U.S. soil.
Bethpage Black is a par-70 beast stretching 7,398 yards. Known for its warning sign at the first tee, as many have seen photos online stating, “The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers”. Ranked as the world’s #26-ranked golf course, it is one of the most demanding venues in the United States.
The course features narrow fairways, deep bunkers, thick rough, and fast greens. It has already hosted major championships, including the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Opens and the 2019 PGA Championship. The course will wear on players as there is 77 feet of elevation change throughout the course.
Keys to success on this course are hitting the fairways, avoiding the rough, and hitting greens in regulation. The setup suits long hitters who can keep the ball in play and players who excel with mid-to-long iron approaches. Short-game patience will be critical because bogeys are inevitable.
That said, Golfweek reported Paul McGinley met with the Team Europe at their scouting/bonding trip to Bethpage and noted, “The rough is not what it would be in a major championship as in years past. Rough, not too thick, fast greens, to encourage fast pace and low scoring, which has proved quite successful in years past on U.S. soil”, putting it right into the Americans’ wheelhouse to succeed.
Ryder Cup Format
The event spans three days with 28 total points at stake.
Friday & Saturday: Each day features four foursomes (alternate shot) matches in the morning and four fourball (best ball) matches in the afternoon, for a total of 16 points over two days. Out of the twelve-member teams, four players will sit out each session.
Sunday: The final day consists of 12 singles matches, one point each. If the cup is close in points, this is when the pressure will amp up in one-on-one matchups.
The first team to reach 14.5 points wins the Ryder Cup. If the score finishes 14-14, the team that already holds the Cup (Europe) keeps it.
Team USA enters with plenty of star power, not to mention the best player on the planet. Scottie Scheffler is the world’s best ball-striker, while Justin Thomas has been a U.S. emotional leader in recent Cups. Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, and Patrick Cantlay bring precision and consistency, while Bryson DeChambeau will certainly bring the energy for Team USA.
Russell Henley quietly sits number 3 in OWGR, while younger players like Cameron Young, Ben Griffin, and J.J. Spaun will be tested in their first Ryder Cup. Those three have been awesome in 2025, and I expect big things if these three can get paired up accordingly. The biggest question for the Americans will be chemistry; can they find the right pairings in foursomes?
Team Europe has a roster that looks downright dangerous. Led by none other than Rory McIlroy, he continues to be their top player, and almost certainly will see all 5 matches. Behind him is a stacked powerhouse with some of LIV Golf’s best, along with ten outstanding PGA players.
Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, and Viktor Hovland headline the rest of the European team. Older veterans like Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, and Shane Lowry bring leadership and clutch play. While rising stars such as Ludvig Åberg and Rasmus Højgaard inject some serious firepower and talent. Don’t forget Sepp Straka had 6 top 10s in 2025, winning twice.
Momentum: Europe comes off a dominant 2023 win where their top players looked nearly unbeatable. Confidence matters in match play, and Europe has some of the hottest players in golf, regardless of OWGR.
Core Strength: McIlroy, Rahm, and Hovland are all major champions with experience in this environment. Add in Fleetwood, who just won the FedEx Cup, and strong 2025 seasons for Fitzpatrick, Lowry, MacIntyre, Rose, Straka, and Aberg. Together, they give Europe a lot of options that Team USA must match.
Team Chemistry: Europe has consistently outperformed its world ranking averages because of better foursome pairings and what appears to be tighter bonds between the players. Eight of the last eleven Ryder Cups going to Europe is no accident.
U.S. Questions: The Americans have talent, but also uncertainty. Rookies and newer faces like Griffin, Spaun, and Young must perform under extreme pressure. Also, not sure if anyone noticed, but Collin Morikawa has not been the same in 2025, and I don’t know how much Team USA can count on him.