The Ryder Cup is back on the biggest stage in golf. The 45th edition will be contested at Bethpage Black, Farmingdale, New York in late September 2025. Two of golf’s most passionate rivalries — Team USA vs Team Europe will meet on a course that’s famed for its bite: narrow fairways, deep rough and bruising approach shots. This preview covers the competition’s history, what makes Bethpage Black such a stern test, full team tables for 2025 (with a marker for players who’ve played Ryder Cup before), players to watch, predictions, ticket info, UK organised trips and where to watch on UK TV. Ryder Cup+1

Quick facts

• Event: 2025 Ryder Cup (45th Matchup). Ryder Cup
• Dates: September 23–28, 2025  Ryder Cup
• Venue: Bethpage Black Course, Bethpage State Park (Farmingdale, NY) — a public Long Island mega test. Wikipedia
• Format: 28 match-play matches across foursomes, fourballs and singles (14½ points required to win). Wikipedia
• UK TV: Sky Sports (exclusive live coverage); BBC usually carries nightly highlights. Golf Monthly+1

A short history of the Ryder Cup — why it matters

The Ryder Cup began in 1927 after English seed merchant Samuel Ryder donated a trophy to foster international competition between British (later European) and American professionals. Since expanding to continental Europe in 1979, the match has transformed from a gentlemanly contest into one of sport’s most emotional and partisan team events. Today it’s played every two years, alternating between venues in Europe and the U.S., and is jointly organised by Ryder Cup Europe and the PGA of America. Ryder Cup+1

Why the Ryder Cup is special: it’s match play (head-to-head) not stroke play; team spirit and captaincy tactics matter as much as form. The crowds create an atmosphere unlike any regular tour event — typically louder and more partisan than a major. Moments like putt concessions, surprise pairings and crowd noise have created some of golf’s most talked-about memories. Wikipedia

Past winners — quick reference table (1985–2023)

 

The venue — Bethpage Black: what to expect (and how it plays)

Bethpage Black is one of the rare public courses in the world, regularly entrusted with golf’s biggest championships. Designed in the 1930s and hardened over the decades (with modern Rees Jones renovations), Black is long, penal and relentless: long rough, narrow corridors off the tee, and greens that get lightning fast and firm in championship set-ups. The course has hosted multiple U.S. Opens and the PGA Championship and is widely regarded as one of the toughest tests in American golf. Wikipedia+1

How Bethpage Black will influence match play tactics:

• Driving accuracy matters. Narrow corridors punish stray tee shots, so captains will pair players comfortable hitting fairways under pressure. GolfPass
• Approach-shot precision & scrambling. With aggressive rough, hitting the right tier on the green is critical — wedge play and scrambling will decide half the matches. Golf Digest
• Fast, firm greens. Putting and short-game nerves can swing singles matches; the greens at 14–17 are among the toughest in the world. Golf Digest
• Crowd factor. Bethpage’s Long Island location and proximity to NYC suggest huge, partisan galleries: a real home-field advantage for the U.S. side. The Times

2025 teams 

Europe’s 2025 team is exceptionally experienced — only one rookie (Højgaard) in a squad of 12. Ryder Cup

Team USA arrives with several rookies (four in 2025) and a blend of veterans; captain Keegan Bradley has spoken about team unity and close bonds during prep. Reuters

Players to watch — matchups that could decide the week

Europe

• Rory McIlroy (NIR) — veteran leadership, length off the tee and major-winning temperament. Expect him to anchor singles and key pairings. NBC Sports
• Jon Rahm (ESP) — raw ball-striking and fiery competitive instinct; can score big in fourballs and singles. Ryder Cup
• Viktor Hovland (NOR) — makes clutch putts and thrives in singles; dangerous in foursomes where his temperament helps. Ryder Cup

USA

• Scottie Scheffler — world No.1 form, dependable in all formats; a pairing anchor for the U.S. Golf Monthly
• Xander Schauffele — versatile match-play player, superb in fourballs and singles. Golf Monthly
• Justin Thomas / Collin Morikawa — experience under pressure and world-class shotmaking — big match-winners if they find rhythm. Ryder Cup

Why each matters at Bethpage: accuracy off the tee and approach control will matter more than raw power; players who can control spin and trajectory into plateaued, fast greens (think McIlroy, Rahm, Morikawa) are favoured. Golf Digest

Predictions — a balanced take

• Edge to Europe (slight): Europe’s depth and Ryder Cup experience — only one rookie — gives them better pairings flexibility. However, Bethpage Black is a hostile U.S. venue and American crowds could swing momentum. The match could be decided by how well Europe handles the pressure and how the U.S. rookies cope with the Ryder Cup cauldron. Sources and form suggest a tight contest (e.g., 15–13 or 15.5–12.5). This is a friendly prediction, not a bet. CBSSports.com+1

How organisers see the event — scale, staging & logistics

Organisers have described the 2025 Ryder Cup as a tentpole sporting event — think Super Bowl scale stands, big spectator numbers and a strong commercial programme. Plans include large grandstands, hospitality zones and significant spectator capacity (tens of thousands per day). Ticket prices and local accommodation demand are high; expect major transport and crowd-management plans by the PGA of America and local authorities. The Times+1

Tickets & official packages — where to buy (and what’s still available)

Official tickets & packages

• RyderCup.com / On Location — the official ticketing and authorised travel package provider for the PGA of America: hospitality, travel + hotel packages and a range of ticket types are sold here. If you want guaranteed official tickets and experiences, start here. Ryder Cup

UK-based authorised package providers

• Golfbreaks — authorised Ryder Cup packages including flights/hotels/tickets for Bethpage Black. Good for British travellers wanting single booking convenience. Golfbreaks
• Elite Sports Travel — luxury and tailored Ryder Cup packages from the UK with international flights, accommodation and Championship + tickets. Good high-end option. Elite Sports Travel

Where you can still buy tickets: official site and authorised resellers (On Location, Golfbreaks, Elite Sports Travel). Secondary marketplaces will exist but come with risk; always check authorisation and refund policies. For last-minute availability, check the official Ryder Cup tickets page first. Ryder Cup+1

UK organised trips — options, what they include, and recommended providers

If you’re travelling from the UK, look for authorised packages that include:

• International flights (often direct or one-stop to NYC area airports).
• Hotel accommodation (close to Bethpage or in Manhattan with shuttle transfers).
• Ground transport (shuttles to Bethpage, match-day transfers).
• Official championship tickets (often Championship+, day tickets or Sunday singles).
• Optional extras like pre-match hospitality, guided fan experiences and local tours.

Recommended UK providers (authorised / reputable):

• Golfbreaks — multiple tiers, authorised Ryder Cup packages and experience days. Golfbreaks
• Elite Sports Travel — higher-end packages with VIP inclusions. Elite Sports Travel
• On Location — official PGA of America partner; check authorised UK resellers on the official ticket pages. Ryder Cup

Tip: book early for hotels near Bethpage (Long Island) or in New York — they sell quickly and prices spike as the event approaches. The Times

Where to watch in the UK — TV & streaming

• Sky Sports (Sky Sports Golf / Sky Sports Ryder Cup) — exclusive live coverage in the UK for 2025; expect wall-to-wall coverage, dedicated Ryder Cup channel branding and live studio shows. Golf Monthly+1
• BBC — historically shows nightly highlights (check schedules closer to the event for highlight windows). Wikipedia

If you’re outside the UK, check local broadcasters or the Ryder Cup website for international broadcast details and streaming options. Ryder Cup

And Finally

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