Ryder Cup talking points: Can Europe reign in the States?
Home advantage has been a decisive factor in much of the recent history of the Ryder Cup and the United States are big favourites coming into the tournament on home soil.
Indeed, Europe’s only win on this side of the Atlantic in the last 20 years came courtesy of the ‘Miracle of Medinah’ in 2012, when Jose Maria Olazabal’s side overturned a 10-6 deficit on the final day.
Many of Europe’s heavyweights have had individual success on the PGA Tour and they will need to channel that if they are to get their hands on the trophy on Sunday night.
Captain Luke Donald has also revealed he has been thinking outside the box in order to mastermind an away victory.
Mike Jones24 September 2025 19:00
Ryder Cup talking points: The crowd factor
Much has been made about the hostile atmosphere Europe are expecting to face, with American crowds notorious for their partisan support.
How Rory McIlroy and co can cope with the heckling, jeering and booing could go a long way in deciding the outcome of the contest.
The level of patriotism looks set to be especially heightened on Friday when president Donald Trump is in attendance amid a divided political backdrop following the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk.
(Getty Images)
Mike Jones24 September 2025 18:45
Tyrell Hatton greets fans in kids zone
There is a kids zone near the player interview area at Bethpage, and the Europeans have just finished their practice holes and some are stopping for the young fans. Tyrrell Hatton is putting in a huge shift, moving down the line, as are Jon Rahm and Robert MacIntyre. Hatton is notably a favourite here and putting in extra time and effort to interact with the fans.
Viktor Hovland and Rory McIlroy made their way through the area and did not stop, despite a few pleas for McIlroy in particular, followed by some groans when it became clear he would not be signing any flags or hats at this moment.
Tyrell Hatton with European Ryder Cup fans at Bethpage Black (Jack Rathborn/The Independent)
Jack Rathborn at Bethpage24 September 2025 18:30
Fleetwood on embracing Ryder Cup atmosphere
“The home crowd is a big part of what makes the Ryder Cup so special, so unique to us.
“That energy, that passion and that home team environment is something that plays such a big part in the Ryder Cup, and I think you have to embrace that, enjoy it and look forward to it, even when you’re the away team.
“When it’s ‘go time’, when it’s time to play, I think it’s like every other tournament except this one is hyped up.
“That’s no different in the Ryder Cup – it’s just an extreme atmosphere. It’s the most extreme atmosphere that we get.”
Mike Jones24 September 2025 18:21
Tommy Fleetwood says Europe must embrace ‘extreme’ Ryder Cup atmosphere
Tommy Fleetwood has urged his European team-mates to embrace “the most extreme atmosphere” in golf at the Ryder Cup this week.
Much has been made of the hostile reception the visiting side are likely to encounter as they take on the United States in front of a partisan and boisterous New York crowd at Bethpage Black.
Yet as one of the most experienced members of the team, with a significant American victory at last month’s Tour Championship under his belt, Fleetwood is not too concerned about what lies in store.
Luke Baker24 September 2025 18:10
Chelsea fan Justin Rose ‘star-struck’ by Gianfranco Zola’s presence at Ryder Cup
Chelsea fan Justin Rose admits he was “star-struck” when he discovered Gianfranco Zola is part of Europe’s Ryder Cup backroom team.
Zola is vice-captain Francesco Molinari’s desginated on-course buggy driver throughout the week at Bethpage Black in New York.
The Italian, who is a keen golfer and plays off 1.5, is a long-time friend with his countryman and has been invited into Luke Donald’s backroom team.
His presence came as a surprise to Rose, who is a staunch supporter of the Stamford Bridge club, where Zola was a huge success between 1996 and 2003.
Luke Baker24 September 2025 17:52
There are 28 points up for grabs with the winners required to reach 14.5 points. The holders can defend the cup by reaching 14 points, with a draw ensuring they retain the cup.
The competition lasts three days and the first two days, Friday and Saturday, see the players battle it out over foursomes (alternate shot) and fourballs (better ball). The action concludes on Sunday with 12 singles matches.
Each match offers up one point, though the point can be halved if the match is tied after 18 holes, resulting in each team winning half a point.
The players involved in foursomes (alternate shot) and fourballs (better ball) will be announced shortly before each session, with every player tasked with competing in a singles match on Sunday.
Europe’s Ryder Cup team, captained by Luke Donald, regained the trophy in Rome (David Davies/PA Wire)
Luke Baker24 September 2025 17:34
Day 1: Friday 26 September
Four foursome (alternate shot) matches in the morning: 7:10am ET (12:10pm BST), 7:26am ET (12:26pm BST), 7:42am ET (12:42pm BST), 7:58am ET (12:58pm BST).
Four fourball (better ball) matches in the afternoon: 12:25pm ET (5:25pm BST), 12:41pm ET (5:41pm BST), 12:57pm ET (5:57pm BST), 1:13pm (6:13pm BST).
Day 2: Saturday 27 September
Four foursome (alternate shot) matches in the morning: 7:10am ET (12:10pm BST), 7:26am ET (12:26pm BST), 7:42am ET (12:42pm BST), 7:58am ET (12:58pm BST).
Four fourball (better ball) matches in the afternoon: 12:25pm ET (5:25pm BST), 12:41pm ET (5:41pm BST), 12:57pm ET (5:57pm BST), 1:13pm (6:13pm BST).
Day 3: Sunday 28 September
12 singles matches: Starting from 12:02pm ET (5:02pm BST) to 2:03pm ET (6:03pm BST).
The trophy presentation is scheduled for 6:00pm ET (11pm BST).
Luke Baker24 September 2025 17:20
Team Europe player by player guide
Meanwhile, Team Europe skipper Luke Donald has brought back 11 of the 12 players that guided Team Europe to victory in Rome two years ago.
This time, at Bethpage Black in New York, Donald is targeting a rare away victory over Team USA.
It’s been a fine year for the Europeans, with Rory McIlroy’s Masters victory and career grand slam a standout moment and Tommy Fleetwood overcoming repeated heartache to triumph at the Tour Championship and secure the FedEx Cup in his first-ever PGA Tour victory.
Here’s the men looking to make history:
Luke Baker24 September 2025 17:02
Team USA player by player guide
Team USA is on a mission to recapture the Ryder Cup in the 2025 edition of the event at Bethpage Black and their chances look promising with the world’s best player Scottie Scheffler leading their charge on the course.
Captain Keegan Bradley ultimately didn’t select himself as a player but the 12-strong United States squad will still be tough to beat
Luke Baker24 September 2025 16:41