The long wait is finally over. This Friday, the 45th Ryder Cup will commence on the challenging Black Course at Bethpage Black State Park in Farmingdale, New York.
The United States team aims once more to leverage its home-field advantage, a trend reinforced by host teams winning the last five matches consecutively. The most recent instance of a visiting squad securing the Ryder Cup was Europe`s memorable 14½-13½ triumph at Medinah Country Club in Illinois back in 2012.
Historically, Europeans have dominated, winning eight of the last 11 events. This includes their convincing 16½-11½ victory at Marco Simone Golf Club and Country Club outside Rome in 2023.
Conversely, the U.S. delivered a crushing 19-9 defeat to the Europeans at Whistling Straits in Haven, Wisconsin, in 2021.
Facing thousands of enthusiastic and vocal fans on Long Island this week, the European team can expect anything but an easy ride.
The Americans enter the event as favorites again, showcasing a formidable roster that includes seven of the top 10 golfers in the Official World Golf Ranking, prominently featuring world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Rory McIlroy reflected on the challenge: “History indicates it will be exceptionally challenging. There`s a clear reason why, over the past decade, every Ryder Cup has gone to the home team. It would undoubtedly be fantastic to bring the Ryder Cup back to these shores, and we fully understand the immense difficulty involved. We harbor no illusions. I continually emphasize this: we possess a monumental opportunity to achieve something few Ryder Cup teams can claim to have accomplished.”
The competition structure will see four foursomes (alternate shot) and four four-ball (better ball) matches on both Friday and Saturday, culminating in 12 intense singles matches on Sunday.
For Europe to retain the coveted Ryder Cup, they will need to accumulate 14 points. The U.S. team, however, requires 14½ points to reclaim it.
Below is a comprehensive look at the golfers set to compete this weekend:
1. Scottie Scheffler, USA
4. Jon Rahm, Europe
World Ranking: 73
Ryder Cup Appearances: 4
Career Record: 6-3-3
Do not be misled by his world ranking. The Spaniard remains one of the planet`s elite golfers, despite his ranking falling during his tenure in the LIV Golf League. He secured that league`s season-long individual points championship for the second consecutive year and demonstrated improved performance in the majors this past season, with three top-15 finishes. The two-time major champion has consistently been a formidable presence in the Ryder Cup, following in the footsteps of Spanish golf legends Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal.
5. Bryson DeChambeau, USA
World Ranking: 21
Ryder Cup Appearances: 3
Career Record: 2-3-1
Strategizing how to best utilize DeChambeau`s extraordinary driving distance will be a key storyline for the American team this week. The two-time U.S. Open champion was notably absent from the 2023 Ryder Cup team. He started with an 0-3-0 record as a rookie in Paris in 2018, but impressively rebounded to contribute 2½ points at Whistling Straits three years later. The LIV Golf League captain appears fully committed after securing his spot on the team with only eight qualifying events. Expect the powerful hitter to have the New York crowd firmly behind him.
6. Patrick Cantlay, USA
World Ranking: 22
Ryder Cup Appearances: 3
Career Record: 5-2-1
Cantlay found himself at the heart of the “HatGate” controversy two years ago, when he was reportedly reluctant to wear a team hat, allegedly protesting the lack of player compensation for Ryder Cup participation (this year, American golfers are receiving a $200,000 stipend and an additional $300,000 for charity). Cantlay refuted the report, but European fans still playfully waved their hats at him at Marco Simone. Cantlay momentarily quieted them by sinking a crucial 43-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, securing a 1-up victory for him and Wyndham Clark against McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick on Saturday afternoon.
7. Russell Henley, USA
World Ranking: 3
Ryder Cup Appearances: Rookie
Though a 36-year-old Ryder Cup rookie, Henley has consistently been among the world`s top golfers over the past couple of seasons. He claimed his fifth PGA Tour victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 9. Furthermore, he achieved top-10 finishes in four of the last eight major championships. Henley showcased his match-play prowess with a 3-1-0 record in his debut Presidents Cup in 2024, notably winning two matches alongside Scheffler. Henley is known for hitting fairways and greens with precision, maintaining a straightforward game.
8. Ludvig Åberg, Europe
World Ranking: 16
Ryder Cup Appearances: 2
Career Record: 2-2-0
The 25-year-old Swede experienced a mixed season, highlighted by his second PGA Tour victory at the Genesis Invitational in February. His subsequent major performances didn`t surpass a solo seventh at the Masters, yet he performed admirably during the FedEx Cup playoffs. On tour, he ranked 91st in strokes gained: approach (-.038) and 86th in putting (-.051). Åberg`s Ryder Cup debut in Rome saw him post a 2-2-0 record.
9. Justin Thomas, USA
World Ranking: 5
Ryder Cup Appearances: 4
Career Record: 7-4-2
22. Sepp Straka, Europe
World Ranking: 15
Ryder Cup Appearances: 2
Career Record: 1-2-0
The 32-year-old, born in Austria and raised in Valdosta, Georgia, secured two tour victories this season at the American Express and Truist Championship. However, he missed the cut in three of the four majors, and his game lacked its usual sharpness during the FedEx Cup playoffs. Straka may not be the longest hitter off the tee, but his consistent accuracy in hitting fairways and greens makes him a reliable player.
23. Justin Rose, Europe
World Ranking: 14
Ryder Cup Appearances: 7
Career Record: 14-9-3
Rose, at 45, acknowledges he is in the twilight of his career, yet he continues to deliver spectacular golf performances. He triumphed in the opening leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs, securing his 12th PGA Tour victory with a playoff win against Spaun at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Rose also narrowly lost to McIlroy in a Masters playoff. The English golfer has been a part of four victorious Ryder Cup teams, including the legendary “Miracle at Medinah” squad of 2012, which staged a remarkable comeback by winning eight and tying one singles match on Sunday to overturn a four-point deficit into a one-point victory.
24. Rasmus Højgaard, Europe
World Ranking: 58
Ryder Cup Appearances: Rookie
The 24-year-old Dane is the sole newcomer to the European team this year. His twin brother, Nicolai, competed in Rome two years ago. Team Europe captain Luke Donald extended an invitation to Rasmus to attend Marco Simone to observe his brother and integrate with the team, ensuring a degree of familiarity. He boasts an impressive five victories on the DP World Tour.
