What to Know About the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black
All Square 4min read •
3 Sep 2025
Bethpage Black, a public gem nestled in Bethpage State Park on Long Island, New York, has long been celebrated — and dreaded — for its punishing layout. Designed in 1936 by Joseph H. Burbeck with invaluable input from A. W. Tillinghast, the course earned a reputation as one of the toughest in the U.S., complete with a now-famous warning sign only inviting highly skilled golfers.
Over the years, it has hosted major championships — with names like U.S. Open (2002, 2009) and PGA Championship (2019) etched in its legacy. Tiger Woods and Brooks Koepka once conquered this imposing landscape, with Koepka firing a course-record 63 in 2019.
Mark Your Calendars
The 45th Ryder Cup will take place from Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28, 2025, bringing golf’s most intense team competition back to U.S. soil at Bethpage Black. These dates mark the return of a contest that has delivered some of the sport’s most unforgettable moments, and anticipation is already building as fans from around the world prepare to descend on Long Island. With the event scheduled for late September, conditions are expected to be firm and fast, adding an extra layer of challenge to an already demanding course. From the opening tee shot to the decisive singles matches on Sunday, every moment will be charged with drama, making this Ryder Cup a landmark occasion in golf history.
The Format That Sets the Drama
The Ryder Cup’s unique match-play format ensures that every shot carries weight, with competition unfolding across three action-packed days. On Friday and Saturday, players face off in both foursomes — where teammates alternate shots with the same ball — and fourballs, where each plays their own ball and the best score counts. These sessions showcase strategy, chemistry, and nerve under pressure, often setting the tone for the weekend. The event then reaches its crescendo on Sunday with 12 singles matches, where every player goes head-to-head in a battle that can swing the entire outcome. With a total of 28 points on the line, a team needs 14½ to secure victory outright, while the defending champions can retain the Cup with 14 points. This structure, unlike anything else in professional golf, creates drama at every turn and guarantees a finish filled with tension, emotion, and unforgettable moments.
Captains, Vice-Captains & Selection Stories
On the U.S. side, Keegan Bradley takes the helm as captain, becoming the youngest U.S. skipper since Arnold Palmer. His vice-captains include notable names like Webb Simpson and Jim Furyk.
Team Europe remains under the steady leadership of Luke Donald, a repeat captain after guiding Europe to victory in 2023. His vice-captains include José María Olazábal, the Molinari brothers, Thomas Bjørn — and recently confirmed, Alex Norén, brought in for his experience and leadership.
Automatic qualifiers include Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau.
Captain’s picks feature Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay, Sam Burns, Ben Griffin, and Cameron Young — while Bradley opted out of selecting himself as a player.
Team Europe
Automatic qualifiers: Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Rasmus Højgaard, and Tyrrell Hatton.
Captain’s picks include Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Åberg, Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Jon Rahm.
The stage is set for classic veteran-versus-new-generation dynamics and fierce loyalties on both sides.
Venue Upgrades & Atmosphere
Organisers have already made tweaks to the course layout — most notably repositioning the tee on the first hole to accommodate Ryder Cup grandstands and favour American power hitters.
Bethpage Black’s rowdy, intense atmosphere is legendary on Long Island, promising a Ryder Cup charged with electric energy and partisan fervour.
What’s New on the Eve of the Cup
Europe’s final vice-captain, Alex Norén, joins the leadership team to bring unmatched match experience and steady influence.
On the U.S. side, Bradley’s decision not to pick himself underscores his commitment to leadership continuity.
Rising tensions surround non-selections: Sergio Garcia, a Ryder Cup legend, withdrew from the Irish Open after being left out of Europe’s picks — even though Højgaard made it as a rookie.
And pace is accelerating: with weeks remaining, the field is locked, course adjustments are underway, and the tone is set for one of golf’s most riveting spectacles.
The Allure of 2025
This Ryder Cup promises to be more than a competition; it’s a cultural moment unfolding on one of golf’s most formidable stages. Bethpage Black, revered and feared, returns as host for the first time, and the pressure will inevitably favour the home side — but Europe will not cede without a fight.
Fan energy, legacy players, daring rookies, captain’s decisions, public land turned battlefield — all converge to create an atmosphere as gritty and compelling as those greens themselves.
