2025 Ryder Cup: Europe’s Experience vs. US Home Advantage

The squads are finalized, the grounds are undergoing their concluding arrangements, and the month of September has arrived, indicating that only a handful of weeks remain until the 2025 Ryder Cup begins at Bethpage Black. Scheduled for Sept. 26-28, the biennial competition between the United States and Europe is anticipated to be a highly contested affair as each side presents its particular advantages (and disadvantages) to Long Island, New York.

Luke Donald formalized his European squad Monday by revealing his six captain’s selections. Leading the blue-and-gold side for the second occasion, the former world No. 1 will aspire to depend on the expertise of his thoroughbreds and the positive recollections of Marco Simone as he brings back 11 members of the 2023 group that defeated the United States in decisive style.

The single new competitor may not seem unlike the other, yet he undoubtedly performs in a slightly different way than his twin brother, as Rasmus Højgaard secured an automatic qualifying position on the lineup and will substitute Nicolai from that 2023 squad.

On the other hand, the United States is introducing a recent collection of competitors into the fray, as four rookies will make their entrance for American captain Keegan Bradley. Opting against becoming the initial player-captain for the U.S. since Arnold Palmer, Bradley chose a couple of rookies, including New York local Cameron Young, along with mainstays such as Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay.

Experience leans toward the Europeans, though not all experience is beneficial experience; we only need to revisit four years prior to the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, where the U.S. prevailed by a record 10-point difference. It will certainly have an impact, as will current form, home course advantage, and the playing formats themselves: foursomes, four-ball, and singles.

Let’s examine in greater detail how both 2025 Ryder Cup squads have been assembled and where each squad might flourish and/or falter at the close of the month.

2025 Ryder Cup teams breakdown

United States

The 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris may feel like it occurred recently, though with time progressing rapidly, it is Thomas who emerges as the most seasoned participant on this U.S. squad. The four-time competitor will be engaging in his first Ryder Cup in the absence of close companion and consistent partner Jordan Spieth; the duo collaborated in nine of Thomas’ 10 sessions (excluding singles).

Thomas’ playing partner at Bethpage Black could influence the outcome in favor of the red, white, and blue. Numerous possibilities exist, including DeChambeau, a contemporary making his third showing. The two-time U.S. Open champion has encountered challenges in securing a foursomes partner in his prior appearances, though he did pair effectively with Scheffler at Whistling Straits.

It appears improbable that the Americans will revert to that duo, as Scheffler has since ascended to the pinnacle of the golf realm and will serve as the keystone of the U.S. squad. He is a recognized entity and capable of playing with anyone, potentially Henley in foursomes and Burns in four-ball. 

In the meantime, Cantlay and Schauffele’s foursomes record suffered a setback at Marco Simone following a strong commencement between the Presidents Cup and the 2021 Ryder Cup teammates. It was there that Morikawa debuted, frequently seen with veteran Dustin Johnson. With Johnson no longer involved, selecting Morikawa’s partner is a crucial decision Bradley will need to make, as he represents the team’s second-best iron player and force from tee to green.

The U.S. headman possesses a multitude of choices — somewhat more than Europe — given the stability throughout his lineup. The manner in which Bradley ultimately opts to pair his competitors will have a substantial effect on the competition.

Europe

Experience is what jumps out from the page upon initial examination of this group. While the U.S. boasts Thomas leading the charge with his fourth appearance on the horizon, McIlroy will possess twice as many Ryder Cups to his name once Day 1 commences. Rose is another veteran presence in considerably improved form compared to his state in 2023. Fleetwood, Rahm, Hatton, and Fitzpatrick are all poised for their fourth Ryder Cup outing as well, granting Europe six competitors with as much or more experience than Thomas.

Europe will officially field only one rookie, though four competitors have yet to partake in a Ryder Cup hosted in the United States, which represents a drastically different scenario. Consider that Hovland, who competed in all five sessions at Whistling Straits, registered a 0-3-2 record in his playing debut, only to discover his rhythm in Rome, where he was arguably the premier player globally alongside then-rookie Åberg; the duo achieved a 2-0-0 record in foursomes together.

That is a matter the Europeans, unlike the Americans, will not need to address. The visitors possess a general understanding of which players will be paired together and in which sessions. McIlroy and Fleetwood were impeccable together in foursomes in Rome, along with their Scandinavian teammates. Hatton and Rahm are teammates on LIV Golf and were paired at Marco Simone, going undefeated in the alternate-shot style of play.

All of this transpires prior to even mentioning Rose and his 7-2-1 career record in the format. The Englishman did not participate in a single foursomes match in 2023; instead, he was tasked with guiding MacIntyre. The Scotsman did not concede a match in his rookie appearance, and both players may be summoned in a more substantial capacity this time around.

With the positive aspects come some of the negative ones. This is most evident with Fitzpatrick’s record of 1-7-0 in three Ryder Cups. He finally secured a victory with McIlroy playing four-ball in 2023 but holds a 0-5-0 record solely in the U.S. The performances of Fitzpatrick and Lowry serve as X-factors for the Europeans.