The Ryder Cup 2025 is just two days away as both sets of players familiarise themselves with a course known as ‘The Beast’ at Bethpage with the USA desperate to defeat Europe and reclaim the cup.
Luke Donald’s side appear well-drilled and relaxed in pursuit of a rare away victory, with the challenge of suppressing an expected raucous New York crowd over the three days of play.
Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau, who will both speak on Thursday, have fired shots at each other in the build-up, and could collide in a mouthwatering rivalry that could define this year’s tournament.
The traditional opening ceremony will take place a day earlier, on Wednesday afternoon, due to the forecast of inclement weather on Thursday, though Donald and American captain Keegan Bradley will still pick the Friday morning pairings on Thursday afternoon.
Follow all the build-up to Friday’s first matches, plus this evening’s opening ceremony below
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Ryder Cup 2025 latest
- Opening ceremony rescheduled for 9pm BST/4pm EDT tonight due to bad weather
- Team USA and Europe captains Bradley and Donald will unveil first pairings on Thursday
- McIlroy and DeChambeau rivalry brewing ahead of Ryder Cup
- President Donald Trump to delay Ryder Cup arrival after US Open chaos
Chelsea fan Justin Rose ‘star-struck’ by Gianfranco Zola’s presence at Ryder Cup
17:52
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Luke Baker
Chelsea fan Justin Rose admits he was “star-struck” when he discovered Gianfranco Zola is part of Europe’s Ryder Cup backroom team.
Zola is vice-captain Francesco Molinari’s desginated on-course buggy driver throughout the week at Bethpage Black in New York.
The Italian, who is a keen golfer and plays off 1.5, is a long-time friend with his countryman and has been invited into Luke Donald’s backroom team.
His presence came as a surprise to Rose, who is a staunch supporter of the Stamford Bridge club, where Zola was a huge success between 1996 and 2003.
Ryder Cup format
17:34
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Luke Baker
There are 28 points up for grabs with the winners required to reach 14.5 points. The holders can defend the cup by reaching 14 points, with a draw ensuring they retain the cup.
The competition lasts three days and the first two days, Friday and Saturday, see the players battle it out over foursomes (alternate shot) and fourballs (better ball). The action concludes on Sunday with 12 singles matches.
Each match offers up one point, though the point can be halved if the match is tied after 18 holes, resulting in each team winning half a point.
The players involved in foursomes (alternate shot) and fourballs (better ball) will be announced shortly before each session, with every player tasked with competing in a singles match on Sunday.
Ryder Cup 2025 schedule
17:20
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Luke Baker
Day 1: Friday 26 September
Four foursome (alternate shot) matches in the morning: 7:10am ET (12:10pm BST), 7:26am ET (12:26pm BST), 7:42am ET (12:42pm BST), 7:58am ET (12:58pm BST).
Four fourball (better ball) matches in the afternoon: 12:25pm ET (5:25pm BST), 12:41pm ET (5:41pm BST), 12:57pm ET (5:57pm BST), 1:13pm (6:13pm BST).
Day 2: Saturday 27 September
Four foursome (alternate shot) matches in the morning: 7:10am ET (12:10pm BST), 7:26am ET (12:26pm BST), 7:42am ET (12:42pm BST), 7:58am ET (12:58pm BST).
Four fourball (better ball) matches in the afternoon: 12:25pm ET (5:25pm BST), 12:41pm ET (5:41pm BST), 12:57pm ET (5:57pm BST), 1:13pm (6:13pm BST).
Day 3: Sunday 28 September
12 singles matches: Starting from 12:02pm ET (5:02pm BST) to 2:03pm ET (6:03pm BST).
The trophy presentation is scheduled for 6:00pm ET (11pm BST).
Team Europe player by player guide
17:02
,
Luke Baker
Meanwhile, Team Europe skipper Luke Donald has brought back 11 of the 12 players that guided Team Europe to victory in Rome two years ago.
This time, at Bethpage Black in New York, Donald is targeting a rare away victory over Team USA.
It’s been a fine year for the Europeans, with Rory McIlroy’s Masters victory and career grand slam a standout moment and Tommy Fleetwood overcoming repeated heartache to triumph at the Tour Championship and secure the FedEx Cup in his first-ever PGA Tour victory.
Here’s the men looking to make history:
Team USA player by player guide
16:41
,
Luke Baker
Team USA is on a mission to recapture the Ryder Cup in the 2025 edition of the event at Bethpage Black and their chances look promising with the world’s best player Scottie Scheffler leading their charge on the course.
Captain Keegan Bradley ultimately didn’t select himself as a player but the 12-strong United States squad will still be tough to beat
Europe captain Luke Donald opens up on friendship with Michael Jordan
16:22
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Jamie Braidwood
“I've known Michael for a long time. I got to play some golf with him even at the end of my college career, so back in the early 2000s, with being in Chicago. We had some mutual friends. He loved to play golf with good players, and I was lucky enough to be put into the group and we formed a friendship. We live very close to each other in Florida now and remain good friends.
“I think Michael is someone I've been very fortunate to get access to and pick his brain occasionally about what made him tick, what motivated him, how he was able to get the best out of himself. Michael is also very close to Keegan, and I'm sure Keegan has maybe leaned on MJ a little bit as well over the last year. He's not going to specifically give me advice this time around, but certainly my friendship over the years I've picked up many things. It's nice to have someone that is a legend of their sport, the greatest ever, quite arguably, to sit down occasionally and pick their brains.
“I think he's here supporting, I believe, this week, but I think he will have a USA hat on as well this week.”
Chelsea legend emerges as surprise member of Europe’s Ryder Cup backroom team
16:01
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Jamie Braidwood
Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola is a surprise member of Europe’s Ryder Cup backroom team.
The 59-year-old was a driving force of Chelsea’s rise to the top of English football in the late 1990s, winning two FA Cups, a League Cup and a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.
And now he is behind the wheel again after becoming vice captain Francesco Molinari’s designated driver of his on-course buggy.
“I didn't know he was coming this week,” Justin Rose said. “So it was a huge surprise, and literally, one of the first people I bumped into. I was coming around the corner hotel to the lifts and bumped into him.
“I was just saying out there, I meet a lot of really cool people in my life through the game of golf. But I was like, "Whoa! Wow! Hey, Gianfranco!" I was starstruck which is amazing.”
Justin Rose: Trump’s Ryder Cup appearance ‘great for golf’
15:37
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Jamie Braidwood
Justin Rose called Donald Trump’s anticipated attendance on the opening day of the Ryder Cup as “great for golf” as the European team prepares to deal with the arrival of the US President on Friday.
Trump, an avid golf fan, has received an invite to Bethpage Black on Long Island, New York and plans to attend and support Team USA as Europe look to win the Ryder Cup away from home for just the second time since 2006.
Rose, who is Europe’s oldest player at 45, said he is prepared for a “very intense and entertaining” afternoon on Friday, with the arrival of the US president set to increase what would already be a raucous and hostile atmosphere for the European team.
Sam Burns makes a young fan's day
15:18
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Jack Rathborn at Bethpage Black
Jack Rathborn is wandering around Bethpage Black for us and has encountered a heartwarming moment on the range:
“The driving range is packed with the Americans practising in pairs, hundreds of fans in the grandstand cheering each shot.
“Sam Burns and Xander Schauffele are side by side and then Patrick Cantlay and Collin Morikawa are tucked away in the corner.
“And Burns makes a young fan’s day, awarding him his nine iron. Hunter, just nine years old, has quite the souvenir. After Schauffele gave him his glove, Burns has gone one better. Hunter, whose best round is 108, says his longest drive is 110 yards.
“All four players receive a huge ovation as they depart for nine holes starting on the first.”
Justin Rose: Luke Donald deserves credit for emerging as a a leader
15:01
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Jamie Braidwood
“I think Luke has always been more on the introverted side throughout his career and very much focused on his own game and quiet and go about his business. And I think Luke has really emerged as a leader over the last couple of years, and I think he's really invested in himself as a leader.
“And I think he's grown tremendously as a human, right. I think he's probably learnt so much through this process. I'm blown away by the work ethic that he's given this captaincy cycle, both of them. He came into it in Rome, maybe six months behind where he would have been otherwise, made up for it amazingly.
“I think his communication style has been incredibly consistent and on point, and I think takes all the fuss out of it from a player's point of view.”
Scottie Scheffler excited to 'unleash' Bryson DeChambeau at Ryder Cup
14:41
,
Jamie Braidwood
Scottie Scheffler says the United States team are ready to "unleash" under-fire Bryson DeChambeau as they chase Ryder Cup glory this week.
The two-time US Open champion, who plays on the LIV Tour and rarely sees his team-mates, has come under criticism from outspoken Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee, who says DeChambeau will be a "captain's nightmare".
But world number one Scheffler said: "Bryson is a tremendous competitor. He's a great partner as well.
"I partnered with him in 2021 at Whistling Straits and he was a tremendous guy to be out on the golf course with. He's a great guy and a good friend and he's been great in our team room.
"He brings a lot of energy, the people love him, and I think he loves the opportunity to be able to represent his country.
"He's a multiple-time US Open winner, and that means a lot to him. Being an American I think means a lot to him as well. I'm excited to unleash him this week."
Rasmus Hojgaard: 'Everyone keeps calling me Nicolai'
14:22
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Luke Baker
The only change to Team Europe from two years ago is Rasmus Hojgaard replacing his twin brother Nicolai.
Rasmus was actually in Rome, shadowing the team with the expectation that he could be a future Ryder Cup player, so he has some experience of the environment.
And his team-mates don’t always seem to have noticed the switch of twin...
“It's been pretty easy to get into the team,” said Rasmus. “I've been called ‘Nicolai’ pretty much half the time by everyone.
“It happens all the time. Even, like, for example, Shane [Lowry] sometimes just calls me ‘Nicolai’. And then he's like, ‘Oh, Rasmus is here.’
“It's all right. It is what it is. I'm used to it. I've been used to it for 20 years now. So it doesn't really bother me.
“We've never done anything crazy as such but in school, 2e changed classes and the teacher wouldn't notice for an hour and a half. We did that a few times. Anyone in the class would know that we've obviously changed, but yeah, the teacher wouldn't know.”
Tommy Fleetwood: 'It would be a privilege to play with Rory McIlroy'
14:08
,
Jamie Braidwood
Tommy Fleetwood accepts that Rory McIlroy is likely to be one of the European players to be “public target No 1” at this week’s Ryder Cup, after giving some talk to the Team USA players ahead of the clash at Bethpage.
But Fleetwood says he would love the opportunity to play alongside the Masters champion and embrace the atmosphere he can bring.
“I think whoever gets to play with Rory this week, like what a privilege. What an amazing thing to be able to do, to stand next to him on the golf course and play alongside him. He's one of if not the greatest players of our generation.
“The energy that I think he has, that he brings to your team, that he brings to the Ryder Cup, I think is amazing. I think it's great.
“If I'm one of them that gets a chance to play with him, I would love that opportunity. And whatever energy he decides to bring, I'll be there to support him and be a good partner for him.”
Ludvig Aberg on the kookiness of playing partner Viktor Hovland
13:53
,
Luke Baker
Ludvig Aberg has also been in front of the press this morning.
He’s been chatting about his partnership with fellow Scandi, and renowned eccentric/UFO enthusiast, Viktor Hovland.
“Yeah, we're good friends,” said Aberg. “We speak the same language. We come from a very similar background.
“Obviously he grew up in Norway, and Sweden are very close in terms of the cultural environment. And yeah, we get along. He's a funny guy to have funny conversations with. They can go in any direction that you don't really expect.
“We had a good time in Rome, and we've played multiple practice rounds since, and our caddies get along great, too. He's a good friend to have on Tour and in the team room here.
“He's always into sort of the UFO deals and all those things, so it's quite interesting. I'm not quite down that road just yet. If I hang out with him long enough, I might be.
“Again, you never really know where it's going to go, which is quite interesting.”
Tommy Fleetwood not concerned by Ryder Cup crowds turning 'hostile'
13:34
,
Jamie Braidwood
“For us this week, it's an away crowd. But I do say that the home crowd are a big part of what makes the Ryder Cup so special, so unique to us.
“As individuals, you obviously don't get to play in front of a home or team atmosphere, if you like. It's always kind of crowd supporting individuals.
“But I think that energy, that passion and that home team environment is something that plays such a big part in the Ryder Cup, and I think you have to embrace that, enjoy it, and look forward to it, even when you're the away team.”
Ryder Cup talking points: Captain’s corner
13:17
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Luke Baker
Luke Donald is chasing a piece of history as he is aiming to follow in the footsteps of Tony Jacklin and become just the second European captain to win home and away.
While still active on the PGA Tour, the 47-year-old has been able to focus more of his attention on preparation for this tournament, delving into the finer details which could deliver victory.
American counterpart Keegan Bradley’s biggest decision has been whether to pick himself as a playing captain or not after an impressive year on tour.
The world number 13 decided to concentrate on his captaincy but, if his team fails, questions may be asked about where his focus was and whether he made the right decision.
Ryder Cup talking points: Experience versus form
13:04
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Luke Baker
There is a stark difference between the make-up of the two sides.
American captain Keegan Bradley has the luxury of being able to pick seven of the world’s top 10 in his 12-man team, with world number one Scottie Scheffler leading them after a phenomenal 2025 so far.
But they also have four rookies in their side with JJ Spaun, Russell Henley, Ben Griffin and Cameron Young making their Ryder Cup bows and their entire team have only won a combined 30 Ryder Cup points.
Compare that to the 68.5 points Europe have totalled in a vastly-experienced team, which sees 11 of the players who won two years ago back in blue.
Luke Donald has kept faith with his winning team, with Rasmus Hojgaard replacing his brother Nicolai in the only change from the side in Rome.
Ryder Cup talking points: Brutal Bethpage Black
12:53
,
Luke Baker
The fact that this course – one of five public courses in Bethpage State Park in Long Island – comes with its own warning, tells you exactly how tough it is.
Golfers are greeted at the first tee by a sign which reads: “The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers.”
And it is widely regarded as one of the toughest tests in the sport.
It is characterised by undulating hills, huge bunkers and tricky rough, though the fairways have been made wider than usual to accommodate the big-hitting American drivers.
Whichever team can tame the beast the best will lift the silverware on Sunday.
Change of media schedule for today
12:52
,
Luke Baker
With the opening ceremony having been moved forward to today, the players’ media schedule has changed.
Rather than eight European players and six Americans being up for press today, the majority will now be tomorrow instead.
There are still four European stars talking to the media though, including Tommy Fleetwood doing so now. Here’s the new schedule:
7.45am ET (12.45pm BST): Tommy Fleetwood
8am ET (1pm BST): Ludvig Aberg
8.15am ET (1.15pm BST): Rasmus Hojgaard
8.30am ET (1.30pm BST:) Justin Rose
Ryder Cup talking points: Can Europe reign in the States?
12:39
,
Luke Baker
Home advantage has been a decisive factor in much of the recent history of the Ryder Cup and the United States are big favourites coming into the tournament on home soil.
Indeed, Europe’s only win on this side of the Atlantic in the last 20 years came courtesy of the ‘Miracle of Medinah’ in 2012, when Jose Maria Olazabal’s side overturned a 10-6 deficit on the final day.
Many of Europe’s heavyweights have had individual success on the PGA Tour and they will need to channel that if they are to get their hands on the trophy on Sunday night.
Captain Luke Donald has also revealed he has been thinking outside the box in order to mastermind an away victory.
Ryder Cup talking points: The crowd factor
12:28
,
Luke Baker
Much has been made about the hostile atmosphere Europe are expecting to face, with American crowds notorious for their partisan support.
How Rory McIlroy and co can cope with the heckling, jeering and booing could go a long way in deciding the outcome of the contest.
The level of patriotism looks set to be especially heightened on Friday when president Donald Trump is in attendance amid a divided political backdrop following the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Ryder Cup talking points: Money matters
12:16
,
Luke Baker
The build-up to the tournament has been dominated by the PGA of America’s decision to pay the United States team, meaning players will get paid for the first time in the competition’s history.
The matter has been a thorny subject for a number of years but was resolved ahead of this edition, with it being determined all 12 players plus the captain would be paid $500,000.
Of that, $300,000 is to be allocated to a charity of the individual’s choice – an increase on a previous charitable agreement – with $200,000 to be used as they see fit.
Captain Keegan Bradley, Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler and Patrick Cantlay indicated they will donate their entire payments to charity. The other US players have either not stated their intentions or not been asked yet.
Bradley also refuted suggestions that by accepting payment, it shows that the Ryder Cup means less to the US than Europe, who chose not to accept payment.
Europe also practising
12:03
,
Luke Baker
Team Europe were also on the course yesterday, getting to know Bethpage Black
McIlroy vs DeChambeau rivalry brewing
11:50
,
Luke Baker
If the golfing gods have a sense of mischief, then Sunday’s singles will see Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau square off. Their rivalry has been brewing for a while now.
DeChambeau was perturbed that McIlroy gave him the silent treatment when they were in the final group together at the Masters, with the Northern Irishman responding: “I don’t know what he was expecting. We’re trying to win the Masters.”
At the Happy Gilmore 2 Premiere, the American joked he would “chirp in the ear” of McIlroy at the Ryder Cup and added, “If we go up against each other, you can be sure of it.”
McIlroy then responded by saying: “I think the only way he gets attention is by mentioning other people. That is basically what I think of that. To get attention, he will mention me or Scottie [Scheffler] or others.”
DeChambeau tried to cool the rivalry last week, saying: “All I’m trying to do is inspire kids on YouTube. Whatever Rory says and whatnot, I didn’t mean anything by it, other than I’m excited. I hope we can have some good banter back and forth. And if not, if he wants to do what he’s doing, great. No problem.”
Both men will speak to the media today and undoubtedly be asked about the other.
Luke Donald exposes European team to VR crowd abuse in bid for Ryder Cup success
11:31
,
Luke Baker
Luke Donald insisted exposing his players to crowd abuse via virtual reality was just a small part of his grand plan for Ryder Cup success.
The European captain issued his players with headsets that play insulting messages as part of their preparations for a potentially-hostile atmosphere at Bethpage Black this week.
Donald has also employed actors to heckle players during the build-up to the event in further attempts to desensitise them to the vagaries of a raucous New York crowd.
Yet Donald, who is attempting to repeat the triumph he oversaw in Rome two years ago, feels too much has been paid to this particular issue with plenty more having gone into his planning.
Team USA practice on the course
11:16
,
Luke Baker
USA were on the course at Bethpage Black yesterday, practising ahead of Friday’s start. The hosts were having a good time
US players will ‘do the right thing’ over controversial Ryder Cup pay, insists Keegan Bradley
10:58
,
Luke Baker
Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley insists that United States players will “ do the right thing and do a lot of good with this money” as they get paid to play in the event for the first time this week.
The PGA of America announced that they will give their 12-man team $500,000 (£370,000) each, with $300,000 (£220,000) going to a charity or charities of the player's choice. The remaining $200,000 (£148,000) has been labelled a “stipend” for the players to keep. Previously there was only the charitable element, with $200,000 having been designated for charity since 1999.
Bradley explained: “The PGA of America came to me. They wanted to bring the Ryder Cup into the present day. The charity dollars hadn't changed since 1999 and they asked me to sort of shepherd their way into making it into 2025.
“This was what we decided. We felt like this was the best way to do it. We did the best we could. These players are going to do the right thing and do a lot of really good with this money.”
Bradley also dismissed the idea that the optics of players being paid looked bad, given the finances in the sport, and had no interest in the European position on the matter.
“I don't really get that,” added Bradley on the idea of poor optics. “You can say that but I think that the players are really good people and are going to do a lot of good things. I'm not concerned about what Europe does or what they think. I'm concerned about what my team is doing.”
Bromance between captains Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald makes for unique Ryder Cup
10:39
,
Luke Baker
Ryder Cup captains Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald have vowed to put their friendship to the side as they battle it out for glory this week.
United States captain Bradley and his European counterpart are good friends, having spent a lot of time together off the course over the last 14 years.
But they are on opposite sides at Bethpage Black in New York this week, with first-time captain Bradley trying to win back the title Donald oversaw for Europe in Rome two years ago.
While they spoke lovingly of each other in Monday’s press conference to kick-off the build-up to the hotly-contested tournament, there will be no love lost when the first tee shots are hit on Friday morning.
Scottie Scheffler reveals his regular conversations with President Trump
10:17
,
Luke Baker
World number one Scottie Scheffler has revealed he receives calls and messages from United States president Donald Trump, who will be at the Ryder Cup on Friday this week, after he wins tournaments.
Scheffler said: “The president is kind of funny. He loves the game of golf, he loves supporting golfers and I get a call or a text from him sometimes after wins.
“He just loves the game of golf and he’s one of those guys when you’re around him, he does such a good job of feeding confidence into everybody around him.
“That was one of the things I noticed a lot with the little bit of time I spent with him, is he treats everybody the same and treats people with the utmost respect.
“Whether you’re the person serving us lunch or the caddie on the golf course or the guy who’s the president of the club that we’re at, he treats everybody like they’re the greatest person in the world.
“I don’t think he has any plans to address us as a team, but I’m sure if things go well, we’ll hear from him this week.”
Patrick Cantlay explains the real reason why he didn’t wear a hat at last Ryder Cup
10:03
,
Luke Baker
Patrick Cantlay has doubled down on his insistence that the team hat at the last Ryder Cup did not fit.
But with the pay issue that overshadowed the United States effort in Rome now resolved, he was proudly wearing one as preparations for the latest clash at Bethpage Black gathered pace on Tuesday.
Cantlay was at the centre of a furore during the 2023 match against Europe when rumours circulated he was not wearing a cap in a silent protest against players not being paid to play.
He was subsequently goaded by European fans and, as the atmosphere became highly charged, tempers later spilled over as his caddie Joe LaCava clashed with Rory McIlroy in the car park.
When later asked about the hat issue, Cantlay claimed there was not one in his size and has stuck to that line
How Europe can silence obnoxious U-S-A chants to snatch unlikely Ryder Cup win
09:44
,
Jack Rathborn in New York
David Howell and Paul Casey strolled up the hill on the 11th on the South Course at Oakland Hills in 2004, the Europeans one up over their American counterparts, Jim Furyk and Chad Campbell. But then they started to hear a humming in the distance.
Luke Donald’s troops will experience something similar at Bethpage Black this week, when they attempt to win on US soil for the first time since “The Miracle of Medinah” in 2012.
That innocuous noise should not be underestimated; it builds, whirring, and the blue and yellow will walk straight into the cauldron. A boisterous group of New Yorkers, with up to 50,000 spectators per day, are ready to leave a deafening noise, likely to that familiar and obnoxious tune of U-S-A, U-S-A, ringing in their ears.
Read the full piece from Jack Rathborn in New York on how Team Europe can combat the noise at Bethpage:
