The United States has reclaimed the Junior Ryder Cup, delivering a commanding 17.5 to 12.5 victory over Europe at Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, New York. The win, secured on September 25, 2025, marks a triumphant return for Team USA, who last lost the trophy to Europe in 2023. This year’s contest was a showcase of talent, grit, and resilience, with the American girls leading a spirited charge in the singles matches to ensure the Cup returned stateside.
From the outset, the event promised drama. Rain delays stretched the competition over three days, but the weather couldn’t dampen the intensity or the players’ determination. The Junior Ryder Cup, a celebrated prelude to the main Ryder Cup, pits twelve of the top junior male and female golfers from the United States against their European counterparts. The format features foursomes, mixed foursomes, mixed fourballs, and singles, demanding versatility and teamwork from every participant.
After two days of tightly contested team play, Team USA held a slender 10-8 lead heading into the final-day singles. The pressure was palpable, and early on, it looked as if Europe might mount a comeback. According to U.S. captain Suzy Whaley, “We were down first thing this morning for a long time, and these kids just fought so hard and they got the job done. They saw a sea of blue on the leaderboard and knew exactly where they stood. They showed grit, perseverance and did not give up.” Whaley, a former PGA of America president, watched her team turn the tide with resilience and flair.
The American girls were the stars of the singles session, winning five out of six matches. Leading the charge was Asterisk Talley of California, who posted an undefeated 3-0-1 record for the week. Talley set the tone in the opening singles match, facing England’s Charlotte Naughton. After building a commanding 4-up lead, Talley saw Naughton claw back to level the match with four holes to play. But Talley steadied herself and clinched a 1-up victory, providing a crucial early point for the Americans.
Momentum swung decisively in the U.S. team’s favor as Anna Fang of San Diego dispatched Nagore Martinez of Spain 5 and 3, and Zoe Cusack of Potomac, Maryland, topped Benedicte Brent-Peterson of Denmark 4 and 3. Lily Peng of San Ramon, California, added another win for the U.S. girls, edging Alice Kong of France 1-up. The only loss for the American girls came in a tightly contested match, but their collective singles record of 5-1 proved pivotal.
The boys’ matches were a mixed bag, with some tough losses offset by key victories. First Coast players Miles Russell of Jacksonville Beach and Tyler Mawhinney of Fleming Island both faltered in their singles matches. Russell, who had gone 1-0-1 with Talley in mixed doubles, was defeated by Hugo le Goff of France 4 and 3. Mawhinney suffered the day’s largest margin of defeat, falling 7 and 6 to Oscar Couilleau of France. But the boys bounced back with wins from Hamilton Coleman of Augusta, Georgia, who beat John Doyle of Ireland 2 and 1, and Lunden Esterline of Andover, Kansas, who topped Callixte Alzas of France 3 and 2.
As the singles session progressed, the Americans found themselves trailing at one point in nine of the twelve matches. However, the team refused to let the pressure get to them, mounting comebacks to win seven matches and tie one. The U.S. strung together five consecutive singles victories, a run that all but sealed Europe’s fate.
The clinching moment came courtesy of Rayee Feng of Short Hills, New Jersey. Facing Louise Uma Landgraf of France, Feng delivered a decisive 4 and 3 win, pushing the U.S. past the 15.5-point threshold needed to secure the Cup. Reflecting on her performance, Feng’s victory not only clinched the title but also embodied the spirit of tenacity that defined Team USA’s week.
Other notable results included Giuseppe Puebla and Kris Kim finishing their match in a tie, while Sara Brentcheneff of Europe bested Amelie Zalsman 5 and 4. Ukraine’s Lev Grinberg closed out the competition by defeating Luke Colton of Team USA 4 and 3, but by then, the outcome was well in hand for the Americans.
The Junior Ryder Cup has long been a proving ground for future stars, with alumni like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler having graced its fairways. This year’s event, played alongside the buildup to the main Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park Black Course, was no exception. Weather complications forced the singles matches to be moved back to Nassau Country Club, but the change in venue did little to alter the course of American dominance.
For Team Europe, captained by Stephen Gallacher, the defeat was a tough pill to swallow, especially after their record-breaking win in Rome in 2023. Europe had entered the singles hoping to defend their title and notch back-to-back victories for the first time. Despite their spirited efforts—highlighted by Couilleau’s lopsided win and Brentcheneff’s strong play—the Americans proved too strong on home soil.
The victory extends the United States’ lead in the all-time Junior Ryder Cup series to 8 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie. This eighth triumph in thirteen editions underscores the depth of junior golf talent in the U.S. and sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting main Ryder Cup contest starting September 26 at Bethpage Black.
As the sun set on Nassau Country Club, Team USA celebrated not just a trophy, but a week of unforgettable moments, team spirit, and individual brilliance. With the main Ryder Cup about to tee off, the juniors have set a high bar for their senior counterparts, proving once again that the future of American golf is in very good hands.
