Every two years, the world of golf gets ready to host an atmosphere no other event can create. Ditch the muted whispers of Augusta or solitary sprints to the top in the British Open—this is the 2025 Ryder Cup, a clash of continents where pride, nationalism, and tension enter overdrive. And on September 26, the war zone is one of a kind.
Bethpage Black: A legendary Stage
Bethpage Black, in Farmingdale, New York, will be the location of the 45th Ryder Cup, the first time this notoriously challenging public course hosts the event. Renowned for its punishing rough, narrow fairways, and a sign near the first tee that famously warned: «The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers,» Bethpage is not just challenging—it’s legendary. This will be the first Ryder Cup held on an open-to-the-public course, a landmark event resonating beyond golf’s upper echelon.
The storied course has seen its share of big moments, of course. It has two U.S. Opens (2002 and 2009) and the 2019 PGA Championship to its credit, but there’s no surpassing the chaos and crowd enthusiasm of a Ryder Cup. And once the New York mobs get involved, get ready for the decibel level to rival that of a playoff game at Madison Square Garden.
Captains in Contrast: Keegan Bradley vs. Luke Donald
Keegan Bradley Leads Team USA
Keegan Bradley, fiery and intense competitor with Ryder Cup credentials and success in his background, will be at the helm of Team USA. At 39, he is the youngest American captain since Arnold Palmer in the 1960s and brings an unmistakably modern sensibility to the role. Certain insiders speculate that he might even consider playing—always a possibility, it wouldn’t be out of place. His selection was contentious in some ways, bypassing big-name players like Tiger Woods, but Bradley’s love for the event and knowledge of people can make him the captain America’s team needs.
Luke Donald Returns for Europe
On the European side, Luke Donald comes back for a second stint as captain after leading Europe to a dominating victory in 2023 at Marco Simone in Italy. He’ll attempt to do something no European captain has done since the 1990s—win consecutive Ryder Cups. Reliable, stoic, and deliberative, Donald is a stark contrast to Bradley’s more hot-headed style.
Players to Watch
The players themselves will also come under as much scrutiny as their captains. Europe will likely include a strong combination of veterans and youngsters for the 2025 Ryder Cup. Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlroy, and Ludvig Åberg form the backbone of a team that’s not only talented but also harmonious. Luke Donald’s early selections show that he prizes chemistry, experience, and bombers more than flashy credentials. He especially surprised his supporters by omitting Sergio Garcia—Europe’s record Ryder Cup top points leading scorer—something which even led Garcia to pull out of the Irish Open in protest.
There is also drama for Team USA. Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, both former key players at Ryder Cups, are now wild cards. The past PGA Champion at Bethpage, Koepka, admitted he «played his way off» the squad this year, not making the cut and perhaps not being in the captain’s favor. In contrast, young guns Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, and Xander Schauffele are expected to bring reliability and power. Whether Justin Thomas is able to get his game in rhythm is unknown, but his Ryder Cup experience may allow him to remain in the mix despite shaky numbers.
A City and Sport Transformed
Off the course, the PGA of America is pulling out all the stops to turn this into a cultural spectacle. Dubbed «Ryder Cup Live,» a multi-day festival will take over New York City’s Rockefeller Center, turning the city hub of Manhattan into a golf utopia with viewing parties, interactive displays, and live broadcasts. This city twist encapsulates golf’s evolving appeal—hipper, trendier, and louder than ever.
That philosophy suits the location to a T. Bethpage’s addition is not symbolic; it’s symbolic-like, a subtle, creeping change in the sport: from elitism to popularity, from muted golfing applause to cacophony of fanhood. Thousands of regular golfers have walked Bethpage’s fairways, and in the 2025 Ryder Cup they’ll get to watch the world’s top players battle the same brutal terrain.
Countdown to Glory
It’s not about national pride this Ryder Cup. It’s about narrative. It’s about a sport long immersed in tradition finding new vitality in a new era. With an American captain in his prime, a grizzled European counterpart, iconic players and redemption stories, and one of golf’s most challenging courses, every narrative is sharpened by tension and possibility.
The matches commence on September 26, but already the drama begins. And with New York’s massive energy powering all of its tee shots and putts, the 2025 Ryder Cup might become the most unforgettable in history.