Ranking Every Golfer in the 2025 Ryder Cup: From Scheffler to McIlroy and Højgaard

The world`s top-ranked golfer will be looking to put his 0-2-2 record from Rome two years ago behind him. Scheffler was visibly emotional after he and Brooks Koepka suffered a significant 9-and-7 defeat in foursomes, marking the shortest 18-hole match in Ryder Cup history. For the U.S. to have a genuine chance this week, Scheffler`s dominant form will be crucial. He remains in peak condition, having secured his sixth tour victory this season at the Procore Championship in Napa, California, just two weeks prior.

At 36, McIlroy stands as the undeniable emotional bedrock of the European team. His exceptional performance in Rome saw him earn four points, the highest of any player on either side. McIlroy was also involved in a post-match disagreement with American caddie Joe LaCava. After achieving the rare feat of completing the career Grand Slam at the Masters, McIlroy experienced a brief dip in form this season but rebounded with a win at the Irish Open on September 7th.

The English golfer celebrated his finest PGA Tour season to date, culminating in his inaugural victory on American soil at the Tour Championship. Fleetwood has become a fan favorite globally, though the Bethpage Black crowd might test this popularity. He recorded a strong 3-1-0 performance in Rome and has an impressive 4-0-0 record in foursomes across his previous three Ryder Cup appearances.

Despite his world ranking, which has been affected by his participation in the LIV Golf League, the Spaniard remains one of the sport`s elite golfers. He clinched the LIV Golf League`s season-long individual points championship for the second consecutive year and showed strong major championship form with three top-15 finishes this past season. The two-time major champion has consistently been a formidable force in the Ryder Cup, following in the footsteps of Spanish legends Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal.

One of the key strategic challenges for the American team will be how to best utilize DeChambeau`s extraordinary driving distance. The two-time U.S. Open winner was not part of the 2023 Ryder Cup team. He had a tough debut in Paris in 2018 with an 0-3-0 record but rebounded impressively to secure 2½ points at Whistling Straits three years later. The LIV Golf League captain, who qualified for the team with just eight counting events, is expected to have strong backing from the New York crowd.

Cantlay was at the center of the “HatGate” controversy two years ago, following reports that he refused to wear a team hat in protest of golfers not receiving compensation for their Ryder Cup participation (American golfers are receiving a $200,000 stipend and $300,000 for charity this year). Cantlay denied the reports, but European fans at Marco Simone frequently waved their hats at him. He momentarily silenced them with a memorable 43-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, securing a 1-up victory with Wyndham Clark over McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick on Saturday afternoon.

Though a 36-year-old Ryder Cup rookie, Henley has consistently been one of the world`s top golfers over the past two seasons. He claimed his fifth PGA Tour victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 9th and has finished in the top 10 in four of the last eight majors. Henley also posted a strong 3-1-0 record in his Presidents Cup debut in 2024, including two wins paired with Scheffler. Known for his accuracy, Henley focuses on hitting fairways and greens with a straightforward approach.

The 25-year-old Swede had a mixed season, securing his second PGA Tour victory at the Genesis Invitational in February but not finishing better than solo seventh at the Masters thereafter. He did, however, perform well in the FedEx Cup playoffs. Statistically, he ranked 91st in strokes gained: approach (-.038) and 86th in putting (-.051) on tour. Åberg made his Ryder Cup debut in Rome as a rookie, recording a 2-2-0 record.

Few American golfers demonstrate as much passion for the Ryder Cup as Justin Thomas, who returns to the team after a significant upturn in form over the past two seasons. JT has consistently been one of the U.S.`s most effective match-play performers, highlighted by his flawless 3-0-0 record in singles across his previous three Ryder Cups. He has already declared this week`s matches “the biggest golf event ever.”

Hatton was a standout performer for the Europeans in Rome, contributing 3½ points with an impressive 3-0-1 record. He and Jon Rahm secured the first point in foursomes against Scheffler and Sam Burns, and later defeated Cantlay and Xander Schauffele in Saturday`s foursomes. Hatton also bested Brian Harman in Sunday singles. His recent form is strong, with a tie for fourth at the U.S. Open and a tie for fifth at the BMW PGA Championship on the DP World Tour.

After a string of seven runner-up finishes on tour, Young finally secured his maiden victory at the Wyndham Championship on August 3rd. This breakthrough spurred a remarkable run, with Young not finishing outside the top 11 in his last five starts, including a tie for fourth at the Tour Championship. His formidable length off the tee (averaging 313.2 yards) will be a significant asset at Bethpage Black. He also transformed into one of the tour`s top putters this year, ranking fifth in strokes gained: putting (.642). Young has a local connection, being the son of a PGA club professional in Scarborough, New York, and winning the New York Open at Bethpage Black in 2017.

A painful rib injury disrupted Schauffele`s 2025 season, following his capture of two major championships the previous year. A key question for Team USA is whether Schauffele can regain his top form at Bethpage Black. He recorded a strong 3-1-0 as a rookie at Whistling Straits in 2018 but went 1-3-0 in Rome. He opted out of the Procore Championship, where ten of his Ryder Cup teammates competed, to be with his wife, Maya, and their newborn son, Victor.

Hovland`s initial Ryder Cup experiences were starkly different. As a rookie, the Norwegian golfer participated in all five sessions but failed to win a match, finishing 0-3-2. Two years later in Rome, however, Hovland amassed 3½ points with a 3-1-1 record. Despite his frequent self-criticism regarding his swing, his recent results have been impressive, including a 12th-place finish at the Tour Championship and a tie for fifth at the BMW PGA Championship.

The 29-year-old Scotsman was initially seen as a potential wildcard for the Europeans in Rome, but he exceeded expectations by earning 2½ points. MacIntyre has ascended to become one of the world`s best golfers in the two seasons since, securing two PGA Tour victories in 2024 and achieving top-10 finishes in three of the last seven majors, including a solo second at the U.S. Open. He and Justin Rose proved to be a formidable four-ball partnership at Marco Simone.

Morikawa presents another intriguing puzzle for the Americans. Despite being a two-time major champion, his form has been inconsistent for some time. After relinquishing a late lead to Henley at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and tying for 10th at the Players Championship, he recorded only one more top-10 finish for the remainder of the season (a tie for eighth at the Rocket Classic). Still one of the world`s premier ball strikers, pairing him with a strong putter might be key to unlocking his potential this week.

English earned a point as a Ryder Cup rookie at Whistling Straits before undergoing surgery in February 2022 to repair a torn labrum in his right hip, which sidelined him for almost five months. He is now coming off one of his best seasons on tour, having won the Farmers Insurance Open in January and performed exceptionally well in the majors. English tied for 12th at the Masters and was runner-up in both the PGA Championship and The Open. If his putter is hot, English could be a dark horse for the Americans.

The 35-year-old rookie captured his first major championship in dramatic fashion at the U.S. Open, sinking a walk-off 64-foot putt on the 72nd hole at Oakmont Country Club in June. He also lost in a three-hole playoff to McIlroy at the Players Championship. Spaun is recognized as one of the tour`s best iron players and possesses enough power off the tee to make an impact in his debut Ryder Cup appearance.

The 2022 U.S. Open champion has struggled to find consistent form in the Ryder Cup, securing only a single point in his previous three appearances. However, Fitzpatrick`s game has improved since he began working with swing coach Mark Blackburn. He tied for fourth at The Open and had a strong run on the DP World Tour, including a tie for sixth at the British Masters, a solo fifth at the European Masters, and a tie for fifth at the BMW PGA Championship.

Griffin is arguably the biggest surprise inclusion on the U.S. team. He stepped away from golf for most of 2021 to work as a mortgage loan officer before returning to the sport and eventually earning his PGA Tour card. This past season, he secured two victories, partnering with Andrew Novak to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans team event and then triumphing at the Charles Schwab Challenge the following month. He also tied for eighth at the PGA Championship and 10th at the U.S. Open.

Burns` strong performance during the latter part of the FedEx Cup playoffs secured his spot on the U.S. team, with a tie for fourth at the BMW Championship and a tie for seventh at the Tour Championship. He led the PGA Tour in strokes gained: putting (.983), making him a valuable asset if paired with a consistent iron player. He earned one point as a rookie in Rome.

Lowry is a passionate and emotional leader for the European team, known for his fiery spirit, as seen in his heated confrontation with Joe LaCava on the 18th green in Rome. He also famously intervened to de-escalate an ongoing dispute involving McIlroy in the parking lot. This marks Lowry`s third consecutive Ryder Cup appearance as a captain`s pick, a distinction only matched by Jesper Parnevik.

The 32-year-old, born in Austria and raised in Valdosta, Georgia, secured two tour victories this season at the American Express and Truist Championship. However, his form was less consistent in the majors (missing the cut in three of four) and during the FedEx Cup playoffs. Straka may not be a long hitter, but his precision in hitting fairways and greens is a significant strength.

At 45 years old, Rose acknowledges he is in the later stages of his career, yet he continues to deliver spectacular golf. He won the first leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs with a playoff victory against Spaun at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, marking his 12th PGA Tour win. Rose also lost in a playoff to McIlroy at the Masters. The English golfer has been a part of four victorious Ryder Cup teams, including the legendary “Miracle at Medinah” squad of 2012, which overcame a four-point deficit on Sunday by winning eight and tying one singles match to secure a dramatic one-point victory.

The 24-year-old Dane is the sole newcomer to the European team this year; his twin brother, Nicolai, was a participant in Rome two years ago. European captain Luke Donald extended an invitation to Rasmus to attend the Marco Simone event, allowing him to observe his brother and integrate with the team, ensuring some familiarity. He is a five-time winner on the DP World Tour.