Golf fans around the world witnessed a weekend packed with drama, history, and a dash of Ryder Cup intrigue as Alex Noren captured the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, while Scottie Scheffler continued his dominance by winning the Procore Championship in Napa. Both victories, occurring just days apart, have sent ripples through the golfing community, raising questions and fueling excitement as the Ryder Cup looms on the horizon.
Let’s start with the action at Wentworth. On September 15, 2025, Alex Noren etched his name deeper into the annals of Swedish golf history by clinching his 12th DP World Tour title—and his second in the last three weeks. Noren’s triumph came after a tense playoff against France’s Adrian Saddier. The two men had shared the third-round lead, but it was Noren who birdied the first hole of sudden death, sealing the win in classic style despite the typically British, lousy weather.
This victory was more than just another trophy for Noren. By outlasting Saddier, the 43-year-old Swede became the winningest player from Sweden in DP World Tour history, surpassing legends Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson. That’s no small feat, considering the pedigree of his compatriots. Noren’s win also marked his second BMW PGA Championship title at Wentworth, having first lifted the trophy back in 2017 with a stunning final-round 62.
Behind the leaders, the leaderboard was stacked with talent. Aaron Rai and Patrick Reed finished in a tie for third place at 16 under par, while a six-way tie for fifth included Ryder Cup stalwarts Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton, and Viktor Hovland. Other Ryder Cup notables dotted the field: Jon Rahm finished tied for 13th at 13 under, while Rory McIlroy and Ludvig Aberg both tied for 20th at 12 under. Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood found themselves at eight under, tied for 46th, with Justin Rose further back at six under, tied for 61st.
Not everyone had a week to remember, though. Robert MacIntyre missed the 54-hole cut after rounds of 71-71-72, and Rasmus Hojgaard exited after the 36-hole cut. Sepp Straka didn’t tee it up at all. The timing of Noren’s surge is both a blessing and a conundrum for Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, Luke Donald. Noren, recently named the squad’s fifth Vice Captain, is clearly in scintillating form, but his role as a non-playing leader means Europe heads to Bethpage Black with questions about whether their best in-form players will be on the course or simply offering advice from the sidelines.
As if the European team needed more to ponder, the Americans appear to be thriving both on and off the course. The United States Ryder Cup squad, once notorious for pre-tournament drama and internal squabbles, is now basking in harmony. The entire team gathered in Napa for the Procore Championship, where Scottie Scheffler—fresh off a historic season—added yet another trophy to his already crowded mantle.
Scheffler’s win at the Procore Championship, the first fall event of the PGA Tour season, was hardly a surprise. He pocketed $1.08 million from a $6 million purse, marking his sixth victory of the year. That brings his season’s official earnings to a staggering $27,659,550, putting him more than $9 million ahead of second-place Tommy Fleetwood, whose $10 million Tour Championship payout is nothing to sneeze at. For context, Scheffler’s previous year saw him rake in $25 million for his FedExCup triumph—though that was considered unofficial money. His official single-season record of $29,228,357 set last year seems safe, barring an unexpected late-season start.
The American squad’s unity has been a talking point all week. Stories from Napa describe lively practice rounds, the captain—Keegan Bradley—out on the course watching his team instead of grinding for a spot himself, and a general air of camaraderie that has sometimes eluded past U.S. teams. According to reports, “the Americans are gelling, while the final week of stroke play tournament golf spawned legit questions about whether Europe is sending its best in-form team to Bethpage Black for the Ryder Cup.”
Adding to the intrigue, the U.S. team has been experimenting with virtual reality equipment to prepare for the unique pressures of Bethpage Black. With the rowdy New York crowds expected to make their presence felt, players have been using VR to simulate the sights, sounds, and even the insults they’ll face. As Rory McIlroy explained to reporters, “It is just to simulate the sights and sounds and noise. That’s the stuff that we are going to have to deal with. So it’s better to try to desensitize yourself as much as possible before you get in there. You can get them to say whatever you want them to say. So you can go as close to the bone as you like.” It’s a modern twist on mental preparation, and one that could pay dividends when the pressure is at its peak.
Meanwhile, the European camp is left to wonder what might have been. Noren’s late surge in form is a double-edged sword: while his experience and leadership as Vice Captain are invaluable, his play suggests he could have contributed just as much on the course. The decision to end the points race before the tour’s flagship event at Wentworth now looks questionable, especially as Noren outperformed many of Europe’s biggest names in front of a home crowd.
For the Americans, the mood is cautiously optimistic. The absence of divisive figures and the presence of a united front have many believing that this year’s squad is different. There’s still time, of course, for “the selfish American spirit to jack with all the kumbaya vibes,” as one observer put it. But for now, the U.S. captain seems to be pulling all the right levers, and the team’s performance in Napa has only reinforced their status as favorites heading to Bethpage Black.
With the Ryder Cup just around the corner, both teams have plenty to consider. The Americans are riding high, with Scheffler’s historic season setting the tone and rookies like Ben Griffin, J.J. Spaun, and Cameron Young making waves in Napa. Europe, on the other hand, must weigh the value of form versus loyalty, as Noren’s win raises tough questions about their selection process.
As the countdown to Bethpage Black continues, the stage is set for a Ryder Cup unlike any in recent memory. With unity, form, and a little bit of drama on both sides, golf fans can hardly wait to see how it all unfolds.
