The calendar has turned, and the 2025 Ryder Cup has arrived.
Twelve elite American golfers are preparing to face off against their European rivals this weekend at the legendary Bethpage Black in New York. This biennial match play competition is a pinnacle event in golf. Representing team golf at its most intense, the U.S. team aims to rebound from a defeat suffered two years prior in Rome. Success for the Americans would mark a third consecutive victory on their home ground.
Here’s a guide to follow the 2025 Ryder Cup:
When is the Ryder Cup?
The Ryder Cup spans three days, commencing on Friday, Sept. 26, and concluding on Sunday, Sept. 28.
How to watch the Ryder Cup
NBC holds the broadcast rights for this year’s Ryder Cup. Coverage will be available on the primary NBC network, along with the Golf Channel, USA Network, and streaming options via Peacock and the Ryder Cup official app.
Friday, Sept. 26: Foursomes and Four-balls
USA Network | 7 a.m. — 6 p.m. ET
Saturday, Sept. 27: Foursomes and Four-balls
NBC | 7 a.m. — 6 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 28: Singles
NBC | 9 a.m. — 3 p.m. ET
Where is the Ryder Cup?
The Ryder Cup will unfold at Bethpage Black, situated on Long Island in New York. While this renowned course is a first-time Ryder Cup venue, it has previously hosted multiple U.S. Opens and a PGA Championship.
Who are the captains?
Keegan Bradley is leading the United States team, while Luke Donald captains Europe. Bradley’s absence from the 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup team sparked debate. Donald returns to lead Europe following their victory in Rome two years ago.
Who won the last Ryder Cup?
Europe achieved a decisive 16.5-11.5 triumph over the United States at the 2023 Ryder Cup. They’ve emerged victorious in eight of the past eleven contests, although the U.S. team has secured wins in the two most recent events held on American soil.
Europe’s last win on United States territory dates back to 2012, with a 14.5-13.5 victory at Medinah Country Club.
What is the Ryder Cup format?
The Ryder Cup adheres to a straightforward format spread across three days. Friday and Saturday feature two sessions each of foursomes and four-ball matches. On Sunday, every golfer will compete in a singles match.
Each match contributes one point. In the event of a tied match, both teams are awarded half a point. The first team to reach 14.5 points wins. If the overall score is a 14-14 tie, the previous Ryder Cup winner (Europe) retains the cup.
Foursomes vs. Four-Ball Matches
Foursomes is also known as “alternate shot,” where teammates take turns hitting the same ball throughout the round.
Four-ball involves each golfer playing their own ball on each hole, with the team’s best score counting. This is often referred to as “best ball.”
How are the individual matches determined?
The short explanation: The captains decide.
The longer explanation: For foursomes and four-ball matches, captains select pairings from their teams. Then, for all matches, captains assign a ranking to each pairing or player in singles. The rankings are 1-4 for foursomes and four-ball, and 1-12 for singles. These selections remain confidential. Therefore, Bradley is unaware of Donald’s picks and vice versa. Matches are then determined by these rankings: America’s 1 plays Europe’s 1, 2 versus 2, and so on. (Important: Rankings do not necessarily reflect skill. For instance, Scottie Scheffler might not be designated as No. 1 for the U.S. in singles.)
Bethpage Black is hosting the Ryder Cup for the first time this weekend. (Gary Kellner/PGA of America via Getty Images)
(Gary Kellner via Getty Images)
Who is playing in the Ryder Cup?
U.S. Team
Captain: Keegan Bradley
Scottie Scheffler
Xander Schauffele
J.J. Spaun
Russell Henley
Harris English
Bryson DeChambeau
Justin Thomas
Collin Morikawa
Ben Griffin
Cameron Young
Patrick Cantlay
Sam Burns
European Team
Captain: Luke Donald
Rory McIlroy
Robert MacIntyre
Tommy Fleetwood
Justin Rose
Rasmus Højgaard
Tyrrell Hatton
Shane Lowry
Viktor Hovland
Matt Fitzpatrick
Jon Rahm
Sepp Straka
Ludvig Åberg
Where is the next Ryder Cup?
The subsequent Ryder Cup is scheduled for The Golf Course at Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027. It will return to the United States in 2029, hosted by Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota.
Future Ryder Cup sites
2027: The Golf Course at Adare Manor | County Limberick, Ireland
2029: Hazeltine National Golf Club | Chaska, Minnesota
2031: Camiral | Costa Brava, Barcelona, Spain
2033: The Olympic Club | San Francisco, California
2035: TBA
2037: Congressional Country Club | Bethesda, Maryland
What about the Presidents Cup?
The Presidents Cup operates on a format similar to the Ryder Cup, but features the United States competing against a team of international players excluding Europeans. This event occurs in alternating years with the Ryder Cup.
The next Presidents Cup will be held at Medinah Country Club, near Chicago, next fall. Brandt Snedeker will captain the U.S. team, while Geoff Ogilvy will lead the International team.
The U.S. team has won the Presidents Cup in the last 10 consecutive events, most recently at Royal Montreal last fall.
