The Ryder Cup is back, and the stakes have never been higher. This weekend, from September 26 to 28, 2025, the world’s most electrifying team golf event lands at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, pitting a battle-tested European squad against a United States team eager to reclaim golfing glory on home turf. The anticipation is palpable: the build-outs are bigger, the crowds rowdier, and the expectations sky-high for both sides. But who has the edge—Europe’s seasoned continuity or the unpredictable fresh faces of Team USA?
Europe’s confidence is hard-earned. After a resounding 16.5 to 11.5 victory over the Americans at Marco Simone near Rome just two years ago, captain Luke Donald returns with nearly the entire winning roster. Eleven of the twelve players from 2023 are back, with the only change being Rasmus Højgaard stepping in for his twin brother. This remarkable continuity is rare in Ryder Cup history and has emboldened the squad. Rory McIlroy, the team’s emotional and statistical leader, is set for his eighth consecutive Ryder Cup appearance. He’s been vocal about Europe’s ambitions since their last win. As McIlroy declared in the champagne-soaked aftermath in Rome, "One of the biggest accomplishments in golf right now is winning an away Ryder Cup. And that's what we're going to do at Bethpage [Black]."
That message has echoed through the European camp ever since. McIlroy’s leadership style is both inclusive and inspiring. Speaking at the BMW PGA Championship, he emphasized, "We all walk into that team room as equals, and we walk out of that team room as equals... [Rasmus] needs to see himself on the same level as Jon Rahm, myself or anyone else. We are just 1 of 12, and when we walk in there, we hopefully will make the collective group stronger." This unity, combined with a tactical embrace of technology—like using virtual reality headsets to simulate the famously raucous Long Island crowds—has Europe feeling ready to end a 13-year drought of victories on U.S. soil.
Europe’s roster is a blend of grizzled veterans and proven performers. McIlroy, fresh off a win at the Masters in April and the Amgen Irish Open this fall, is joined by Ryder Cup stalwarts like Justin Rose (14-9-3 record), Tommy Fleetwood, and Jon Rahm. The team boasts 59 combined Ryder Cup match victories and includes just one rookie, Rasmus Højgaard, who already has experience beating McIlroy at last year’s Irish Open. Add in players like Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, and Sepp Straka, and it’s clear why Europe feels they have the skill, strategy, and cohesion to pull off another upset on foreign ground.
For the United States, the narrative is different but no less compelling. The U.S. squad is led by first-time captain Keegan Bradley, whose appointment was a surprise to many. Bradley has leaned into his outsider status, embracing a fresh approach that’s seen him organize training camps, team dinners, and even leave inspirational notes in players’ lockers. "I keep trying to remind myself as well that I was chosen to do this job to do it maybe a little differently as well," Bradley said during the Procore Championship. "Me being the captain isn't really the status quo of what the U.S. side has done. I remind myself and the vice captains all the time that we were picked to do this job because we wanted a little shift in what we were doing."
The American roster is a fascinating mix of established stars and Ryder Cup rookies. Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked golfer, comes in scorching hot with six PGA Tour wins this season and a string of top-10 finishes dating back to March. He’s joined by Xander Schauffele, who, despite a winless season, remains the world’s No. 3 and a consistent performer in majors. Justin Thomas, the team’s most experienced player, brings a 7-4-2 Ryder Cup record and invaluable leadership, even if his recent PGA Tour form has dipped.
What really sets the U.S. apart this year is its influx of new blood. Four rookies—Russell Henley, J.J. Spaun, Ben Griffin, and Cameron Young—are set to make their Ryder Cup debuts. Henley and Spaun each notched a win this season, with Spaun capturing the U.S. Open. Ben Griffin enjoyed a breakout campaign with two victories and 11 top-10 finishes, while Young picked up his first PGA Tour win at the Wyndham Championship. These rookies are hardly untested, but in the pressure cooker of the Ryder Cup, their mettle will be tested like never before.
There’s no denying the Americans face questions about their veterans. Xander Schauffele missed the Tour Championship for the first time in his career, Collin Morikawa struggled with his short game all season, and Bryson DeChambeau, the only LIV Golf member on the U.S. team, has been solid but not spectacular. Justin Thomas, typically paired with Jordan Spieth, will have to find new chemistry with a different partner as Spieth sits this one out.
Statistically, the teams are closely matched. The U.S. boasts nine players in the Official World Golf Rankings’ top 20, compared to Europe’s six. Both sides are stacked with major champions—six for the U.S., five for Europe—and the Americans have the home-course advantage. Since 1983, the home team has won 15 of 20 Ryder Cups, and the last time the event was held on U.S. soil, the Americans triumphed in record-setting fashion, 19 to 9. Scottie Scheffler, then a rookie, famously toppled Jon Rahm in singles play. Now, Scheffler is the man to beat.
Europe, though, is banking on experience, chemistry, and a bit of history. The last time they won on American soil was the "Miracle at Medinah" in 2012, with McIlroy and Rose both on that squad. This year, they’ll need every ounce of that magic to overcome the U.S. rookies’ unpredictability and the Bethpage Black crowd’s intensity.
As the first tee shot approaches, the only certainty is that the 2025 Ryder Cup promises drama, emotion, and unforgettable moments. Will Europe’s unity and experience carry them to a rare away victory, or will the United States’ new approach and home advantage prove decisive? With both captains putting their unique stamp on their teams, fans are in for a weekend of golf that could very well live up to its billing as the event of the century.
One thing’s for sure: as the sun rises over Bethpage Black, golf fans everywhere are on the edge of their seats, ready for the fireworks to begin.
