The 2025 Ryder Cup is set to commence on Friday, with the initial match scheduled for a 7:10 a.m. tee time. The pairings for the opening four matches are expected to be unveiled on Thursday afternoon by the team captains, Keegan Bradley for Team USA and Luke Donald for Team Europe.
As the U.S. team aims to reclaim the coveted trophy on home soil, a wealth of compelling narratives is anticipated to unfold.
Key questions abound: What challenges will Bethpage Black present? Which golfers face the most significant pressure? And, ultimately, who will be victorious on Sunday? Our two on-site reporters share their insights on what they`re most eager to observe and their predictions for the upcoming days.
What are you most looking forward to seeing this week?
Mark Schlabach: A significant home-course advantage often plays a crucial role in the Ryder Cup, evidenced by the host nation`s victory in the last five consecutive matches. The atmosphere at Bethpage Black is expected to be incredibly fervent, prompting the European team to utilize virtual reality headsets to mentally prepare for the intense barracking and taunts from the famously vocal New York spectators.
Rory McIlroy commented on their preparations at the BMW PGA Championship, stating, “We`re doing everything possible to brace ourselves for the experience. However, true preparation only happens when you`re actually in the moment. All the VR headsets and various readiness exercises won`t fully prepare you until Friday`s first tee, when the reality hits, and we`ll simply have to adapt.”
The intensity of the New York crowd raises questions: How boisterous will they become? Will their heckling escalate beyond acceptable limits? Can American supporters genuinely unsettle passionate players such as Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton? One might lament the absence of seasoned European Ryder Cup veterans Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia, whose presence would undoubtedly have amplified the competitive fire.
Justin Thomas acknowledged the crowd`s potential impact, stating, “If our performance is subpar and we`re being heckled, we likely deserve it. However, if personal attacks targeting our families begin, that`s when tensions genuinely start to rise.”
He elaborated, “I have mixed feelings. While personal or disrespectful behavior is never appropriate in any sport, this is the Ryder Cup, and it`s a home match, which carries its own significance. There have been positive and negative instances from both sides, and our goal is to provide reasons for them to celebrate our success.”
Thomas also speculated that if the U.S. team experiences another slow start, the home fans might even express their displeasure towards their own players.
He concluded, “What might distinguish New York from other Ryder Cup venues is the high expectation from fans for us to perform well. Should we falter, they will rightfully be displeased and disappointed. New Yorkers appreciate championships and demand victory, and the Ryder Cup is no exception. We aim to deliver that success and give them even more to cheer about.”
Paolo Uggetti: The brewing rivalry between Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau is already a highlight, even before a single shot is struck. Their past encounter at Augusta earlier this year, coupled with their subsequent public comments, clearly indicates a significant animosity between the two stars.
DeChambeau recounted, “He refused to speak to me that Sunday. He seemed solely focused, I suppose, but that`s not my style.”
McIlroy, having emerged victorious over DeChambeau en route to securing a green jacket, dismissed the idea of engaging in casual conversation during such a high-stakes match.
McIlroy retorted, “I`m unsure what he anticipated. We were competing for the Masters; I wasn`t there to make a new friend on the course.”
The exchange didn`t end there. More recently, DeChambeau was questioned about a potential Ryder Cup confrontation with McIlroy.
DeChambeau declared to People Magazine, “This time, I`ll be in his ear. If we face each other, you can absolutely count on it.”
McIlroy`s response was notably sharper this time.
McIlroy quipped, “I believe he only gains attention by name-dropping others. That pretty much sums up my opinion on the matter.”
The tension speaks for itself.
It`s highly probable that McIlroy and DeChambeau will meet in either foursomes or four-ball this week; indeed, a direct confrontation is highly anticipated. Furthermore, they are bound to be questioned about each other extensively, and it seems their war of words is far from over. Should the schedule permit a Sunday singles match between them, it would undoubtedly be the most captivating showdown of the entire event.
What do you expect from Bethpage Black this week?
Paolo Uggetti: My observations after touring the course this week reveal several key points. Firstly, the rough isn`t excessively long. While certain areas are denser, it doesn`t seem U.S. captain Keegan Bradley and his team intend Bethpage Black to be overly punishing for shots straying from the fairway.
However, given the course`s numerous elevated greens, approaching from the short grass to generate spin and position the ball near the hole will be paramount. This setup could facilitate more creative recovery shots, enhancing the excitement of match play. Conversely, the relatively flat greens might challenge players significantly, potentially turning matches into putting duels.
It`s also worth noting that the atmosphere around the first hole and holes 15-18 will be electric. These holes are interconnected, with large grandstands offering various viewing angles. If matches reach this pivotal stretch, it will undoubtedly foster an intense, amphitheater-like environment, filled with thunderous cheers.
A player for each team under most pressure?
Mark Schlabach: Xander Schauffele, a top-tier golfer globally, saw significant momentum from his 2024 PGA Championship and The Open victories curtailed by a painful rib injury, which kept him off the course for two months.
Despite the setback, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist made the cut in all 15 of his starts last season, securing nine top-25 finishes. His best major performances included an eighth-place tie at the Masters, 12th at the U.S. Open, and seventh at The Open.
However, Schauffele couldn`t replicate his earlier 2024 successes, missing the Tour Championship for the first time. His last competitive appearance was a tie for 28th at the BMW Championship in mid-August, during the FedEx Cup playoffs.
On August 29th, Schauffele and his wife, Maya, celebrated the birth of their first child, Victor. Consequently, Schauffele was absent from the Procore Championship in Napa, California, a tournament that saw ten of his twelve U.S. teammates participate.
Schauffele explained his break, saying, “Naturally, I didn`t play much golf for a while after Victor`s birth, focusing on supporting my wife, as that`s our main role early on. Surprisingly, after these past two days, I feel I`m playing quite well; I even surprised myself.”
Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay have proven to be one of the American team`s stronger match-play pairings. Schauffele`s individual record was 3-1-1 at Whistling Straits in 2021 but shifted to 1-3-0 in Rome.
Schauffele remarked, “While there are good ways to conclude a season, nothing compares to the satisfaction of winning a Ryder Cup. It would certainly help me move past many of the challenges faced in 2025.”
Paolo Uggetti: On the European side, Rory McIlroy undeniably carries the most significant pressure, much of which he has self-imposed.
Following Europe`s victory in Rome in 2023, McIlroy boldly stated, “Achieving an away Ryder Cup win is, I believe, one of golf`s paramount accomplishments right now. And that is precisely what we aim to do at Bethpage.”
Since his appearance at Pebble Beach earlier this year, McIlroy has consistently included securing an away Ryder Cup victory among his primary objectives. He has remained steadfast in this prediction, demonstrating an intensity for this event that rivals his focus on major tournaments.
In many respects, McIlroy has already had a stellar year, with victories at The Players, his career Grand Slam-completing Masters triumph, and his recent national open in Ireland. However, an away Ryder Cup win would be the ultimate achievement. Should he deliver on his promise and guide Europe to a victory unseen since 2012, it would mark one of the most exceptional seasons in golfing history. Conversely, failure to do so would place considerable responsibility on his shoulders.
Who should play all five matches?
Mark Schlabach: It would be a significant oversight not to have the world`s top-ranked golfer, Scottie Scheffler, participate in all five sessions. Just two weeks ago, he secured his sixth win of the season at the Procore Championship, accumulating 15 global victories over the last two years.
However, a notable blot on Scheffler`s otherwise illustrious career was his 0-2-2 record in Rome. There, Scheffler and Brooks Koepka suffered a devastating 9-and-7 defeat in just 11 holes during a foursomes match—the briefest 18-hole match in Ryder Cup history—a loss that visibly emotionalized Scheffler.
Scheffler commented, “I believe I possess a vast reservoir of experience from my career that I can leverage, particularly when faced with adversity. It`s crucial to acknowledge the immense difficulty of our week in Rome. We certainly could have performed better, and that outcome was not what I anticipated. I believe we`ve learned from it, and this time, we are more prepared than ever.”
Under-the-radar players you think will have a big impact this week?
Mark Schlabach: Based on practice-round pairings in Napa and early observations at Bethpage Black, it appears Russell Henley will partner with Scottie Scheffler for at least the initial foursomes session. Their previous collaboration at last year`s Presidents Cup in Montreal saw them secure victories in both four-ball (better ball) and foursomes (alternate shot) matches.
As a 31-year-old Ryder Cup newcomer, Henley, one of four rookies on the U.S. squad, defies the typical overwhelm often seen in first-timers; he exhibits a calm demeanor. Currently ranked third globally, he is recognized as one of the world`s elite iron players and possesses a remarkable, albeit inconsistent, putting stroke.
For Europe, Scotland`s Robert MacIntyre has shown remarkable improvement since his debut in Rome, where he impressively contributed 2.5 points as a Ryder Cup rookie. In 2024, MacIntyre achieved his first two PGA Tour victories and notably held the clubhouse lead at the U.S. Open before eventually finishing second to J.J. Spaun in June.
Having not participated in foursomes matches in 2023, it would not be a shock to see MacIntyre included in Friday`s opening lineup.
Paolo Uggetti: While the American team features several Ryder Cup rookies, it`s intriguing that the major championship winner from this season appears to be the most overlooked talent heading into the tournament.
J.J. Spaun, the U.S. Open champion, might prove to be an unexpectedly invaluable asset for the American squad throughout the week. Spaun has experimented with various practice-round pairings both this week and in Napa, and his exceptional approach play, combined with his potentially game-changing putting, makes him a versatile partner for several U.S. team members.
On the European side, Rasmus Hojgaard, despite narrowly qualifying on points, is receiving less attention, yet this Hojgaard twin (Nikolai was on the 2023 team) is a formidable player. He defeated McIlroy at last year`s Irish Open and ranked fourth in strokes gained on the DP World Tour this season. His primary weakness lies in his short game around the green, though this area might be less challenging at Bethpage.
Your prediction?
Mark Schlabach: Given that nearly the entire victorious European team from Marco Simone is returning, a squad known for its strong cohesion and pride in Ryder Cup success, it`s challenging to bet against them.
However, I cannot predict against the Americans on their home turf. I expect Scottie Scheffler to maintain his world-beating form, while Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas will likely regain their stride to contribute significant points.
The home crowd`s influence will be undeniable. My prediction is a narrow victory for the Americans, 14.5 to 13.5.
Paolo Uggetti: Securing an away Ryder Cup victory is an exceptionally difficult feat, often requiring a miracle, as demonstrated by the 2012 Medinah event. Nevertheless, the combination of talent, unity, camaraderie, and consistent performance exhibited by Luke Donald`s European squad suggests they might achieve this seemingly impossible task without needing extraordinary luck. My prediction: Europe wins 15-13.
Rupert Hollis 
Jasper Carew