The Ryder Cup has made its way to Bethpage Black, and the expectation is fireworks — on and off the course. Europe arrives as the defending champions after a beatdown two years ago in Italy. What will transpire this time around?
We’ve got some predictions.
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What is the singles match you most want to see?
Jay Hart: Patrick Cantlay vs. Rory McIlroy — They might say they’ve put the row from the 2023 Ryder Cup behind them, and maybe they have. But the Ryder Cup has a way of stirring up emotions, even dormant ones, and there’s no way Cantlay isn’t already dreaming of shoving his hat (assuming he wears one) right in Rory’s face.
Sean Leahy: Rory McIlroy vs. Justin Thomas — Rory vs. Scottie Scheffler might be the best golf matchup, but McIlroy and Thomas, plus the emotional New York crowd, could give us some fireworks. Both know how to play to the fans and even give it back to some mouthy patrons.
Jay Busbee: I think we all know what everyone wants: Rory McIlroy versus Bryson DeChambeau. Oh, sure, Rory vs. Scottie would bring the most game, but Rory and Bryson would be the best show.
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Ryan Young: Rory McIlroy vs. Scottie Scheffler
Sure, Bryson vs. Rory would be a lot of fun on the world stage. But we already got that at Augusta National earlier this year and had a clear winner. Don’t think too hard about this. Put the two best golfers in the world up against each other on Sunday afternoon. That’s what the Ryder Cup is all about.
What will this year’s “stupid” controversy be?
Hart: The rowdies getting too rowdy, prompting European scribes to break out the “ugly American” trope. It’s New York City + the Ryder Cup — it’s going to get loud and borderline obnoxious. But let’s remember, what’s borderline obnoxious in golf is considered normal fanfare anywhere else. Relax and embrace it.
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Leahy: There will be a player vs. fan interaction at some point during the week that will be blown out of proportion – ex: Collin Morikawa asking for someone to be removed or Shane Lowry getting up and close and personal with a loud-mouthed New Yorker. From there, that will cause one of the teams to use that as a rallying cry in order to earn the points they need for the Cup.
Busbee: Cameras in Jon Rahm’s backswing. American fans know he’s only a few bad holes from a classic blowup, and they’re going to rip into him any way possible to get him to hulk out.
Young: The money controversy hasn’t gone away. But instead of a sea of hats, look for dollar bills — or even Euros — being waved around by the Europeans that made the trek over. That might not go over well with the sure-to-be obnoxious American crowd, but it’ll be a sight to see.
Bryson DeChambeau of Team United States during a practice round at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York ahead of the 2025 Ryder Cup starting on Friday. (David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)
(David Davies – PA Images via Getty Images)
What will the best fan “moment” be from the weekend?
Hart: Bryson DeChambeau buying into the “man of the people” persona he’s adopted since winning the U.S. Open two years ago. I’d put money on DeChambeau pulling a Bubba Watson, imploring the fans to get loud on the first tee. In fact, if it doesn’t happen, it will be the biggest upset of this year’s Ryder Cup.
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Leahy: One of the players (Justin Thomas? Tyrell Hatton?) will sink the best shot of the weekend and celebrate by grabbing a fan’s beer and chugging it.
Busbee: Shane Lowry will achieve unity between the U.S. and Europe by pounding beers with the gallery. And I might join him.
Young: Beer. At least one member of the U.S. team — hopefully Bryson DeChambeau — will shotgun a beer with the rowdy fans that have made it to Long Island. They’ll just have to back that up with a win a few days later, which won’t be easy…
Which player will make a surprisingly big impact?
Hart: Harris English. We all know Scottie Scheffler is going to keep his cool, which is a must to score points in the Ryder Cup. But Harris English’s veins might even be icier than the world No. 1’s.
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Leahy: J.J. Spaun. We saw at the U.S. Open how clutch he can be when it matters and while the focus might be on bigger names this weekend, he’ll have the opportunity to continue a dream season for him.
Busbee: I think Big Shot Bob MacIntyre is going to be a crowd favorite (i.e. target) for Europe, and he absolutely can handle the heat. Mainly because he applies his sunscreen with a trowel.
Young: Ben Griffin. I know he’s a rookie, but he’s been playing the best golf of his career this season. He’ll come out and quietly score a few points for the Americans early without anyone in the crowd even really noticing. That’s what the U.S. team is going to need if they’re going to pull off the win. Griffin is the guy to watch … as long as he doesn’t overdose on creatine again.
Two years ago in Rome, Patrick Cantlay caused a stir when he refused to wear a hat at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
(Brendan Moran via Getty Images)
Which player has the most pressure?
Hart: This should be unanimous: Patrick Cantlay. Europe will be gunning for him after what went down in Italy and the U.S. needs him … after what went down in Italy. He’s the most polarizing player on either team, but also one of the most valuable for the Americans.
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Leahy: Scottie Scheffler. “Best Player in the World” status should also reflect Ryder Cup play, no? Sure, Tiger Woods wasn’t unbeatable in match play, but this U.S. team needs a very good Scottie this week. He went 2-0-1 at Whistling Straits and that ended well. He then went 0-2-2 at Marco Simone and we know what happened there. The Americans can not only feed off the raucous Bethpage crowd, but also a dominant Scheffler.
Busbee: On the U.S. side, it’s Keegan Bradley. I know he’s not a player, but he has more pressure than anyone connected with the Ryder Cup in any capacity. He’s expected to win. He was brought on to break out of a run of anemic U.S. performances. And he’s also a hell of a feelgood story. If he faceplants, it’s going to hurt.
On the Europe side, they’re pretty much all playing with house Euros, but I think Rory McIlroy could use a good boost to re-set his career. Which is a strange thing to say in a year he won the Masters, but his weird career arc could turn back upward with a dominant, hush-your-mouth performance this weekend.
Young: Scottie Scheffler, easily. While Keegan Bradley is going to get blamed for the loss if the U.S. team gets blown out again, and rightfully so, this is on Scheffler. He has to back up his status as the top-ranked golfer in the world. If he can do that, the rest of the Americans will follow suit successfully.
Who will win the Ryder Cup?
Hart: Europe 15-13
Leahy: Draw 14-14, meaning Europe retains the Ryder Cup
Busbee: USA 15.5-12.5
Young: Europe 15.5-12.5
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