The 45th Ryder Cup begins Friday at the formidable Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York, with Team USA aiming to capitalize on its home-soil advantage.
The host has emerged victorious in the last five Ryder Cups, a trend the Americans are heavily favored to continue. Europe, however, will be looking to replicate its memorable 2012 victory at Medinah, the last time an away team won the event. Despite the recent home-field dominance, the European side has won eight of the past 11 competitions, including a decisive 16½-11½ victory in Rome in 2023. Two years prior, the U.S. secured a record-breaking 19-9 win at Whistling Straits.
Facing thousands of passionate New York fans, the European team understands the scale of its challenge. The American roster features seven of the world’s top 10 players, including No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
“History would tell you it’s very difficult,” said European stalwart Rory McIlroy. “There’s a reason that in the last decade, each Ryder Cup has gone to the home team. It would obviously be great to bring the Ryder Cup back to these shores, and we know how difficult it’s going to be. We have a massive opportunity to do something that not a lot of Ryder Cup teams say that they have done.”
The event features four foursomes (alternate shot) and four four-ball (better ball) matches on Friday and Saturday, culminating in 12 singles matches on Sunday. As the defending champion, Europe needs 14 points to retain the Ryder Cup, while the U.S. requires 14½ points to reclaim it.
Here is a look at the players competing this weekend.
Team USA
Scottie Scheffler
- World Ranking: 1
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 3
- Career Record: 2-2-3
The world’s top-ranked golfer is looking to erase the memory of his 0-2-2 performance in Rome, where he and Brooks Koepka suffered a historic 9-and-7 foursomes loss. Scheffler’s performance will be critical to the American effort, and he enters the event in superb form, having recently secured his sixth PGA Tour win of the season.
Bryson DeChambeau
- World Ranking: 21
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 3
- Career Record: 2-3-1
After being left off the 2023 team, the two-time U.S. Open champion returns. DeChambeau’s exceptional length off the tee will be a major storyline, and the LIV Golf League captain seems poised to make an impact after qualifying for the team despite a limited number of ranking events. He is expected to be a crowd favorite in New York.
Patrick Cantlay
- World Ranking: 22
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 3
- Career Record: 5-2-1
Cantlay was central to the “HatGate” controversy in Rome over reports he protested golfers not being paid for the event. He denied the claim but silenced European fans with a clutch 43-foot birdie putt on Saturday that secured a vital point alongside Wyndham Clark.
Russell Henley
- World Ranking: 3
- Ryder Cup Appearances: Rookie
Though a 36-year-old rookie, Henley has been one of the world’s most consistent players over the past two seasons, capturing his fifth PGA Tour title in March. A top-10 finisher in four of the last eight majors, his steady, fairways-and-greens approach proved effective in his 3-1-0 debut at the 2024 Presidents Cup.
Justin Thomas
- World Ranking: 5
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 4
- Career Record: 7-4-2
One of the most passionate American players, Thomas returns to the team after demonstrating improved form over the past two seasons. A formidable match-play competitor, he boasts an undefeated 3-0-0 singles record in his three previous Ryder Cup appearances and has called this year’s event the “biggest golf event ever.”
Cameron Young
- World Ranking: 20
- Ryder Cup Appearances: Rookie
Young secured his first PGA Tour victory in August, a breakthrough that has propelled him to five consecutive top-11 finishes. His power off the tee and elite putting should make him a formidable weapon at Bethpage Black, a course where he won the New York Open in 2017.
Xander Schauffele
- World Ranking: 4
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 3
- Career Record: 4-4-0
After a phenomenal 2024 season that included two major championships, Schauffele’s 2025 campaign was hampered by a rib injury. His ability to regain top form is a major question for Team USA. He recently skipped a team tune-up event to be with his wife and newborn son.
Collin Morikawa
- World Ranking: 8
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 3
- Career Record: 4-3-1
The two-time major champion has struggled with his form recently, recording just one top-10 finish since March. However, Morikawa remains one of the world’s premier ball-strikers, and a pairing with a strong putter could help him rediscover his game.
Harris English
- World Ranking: 10
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 2
- Career Record: 1-2-0
Coming off one of his best seasons since undergoing hip surgery in 2022, English enters with momentum. He won the Farmers Insurance Open and was the runner-up at both the PGA Championship and The Open. If his putter gets hot, he could be a key contributor for the Americans.
J.J. Spaun
- World Ranking: 6
- Ryder Cup Appearances: Rookie
This 35-year-old rookie sensationally won his first major at the U.S. Open in June, sinking a 64-foot putt on the final hole at Oakmont. An excellent iron player who is solid off the tee, Spaun has the tools to make a significant impact in his debut.
Ben Griffin
- World Ranking: 11
- Ryder Cup Appearances: Rookie
Perhaps the biggest surprise on the U.S. team, Griffin stepped away from professional golf in 2021 to work as a mortgage loan officer. Since his return, he has earned his PGA Tour card and captured two victories this season, including the Charles Schwab Challenge.
Sam Burns
- World Ranking: 23
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 2
- Career Record: 1-2-0
Burns secured his roster spot with a strong finish to the FedEx Cup playoffs. As the PGA Tour’s leader in strokes gained: putting, he will be a valuable partner for any of the team’s elite ball-strikers. He earned a single point in his debut in Rome.
Team Europe
Rory McIlroy
- World Ranking: 2
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 8
- Career Record: 16-13-4
At 36, McIlroy is the undisputed emotional leader of the European squad. He was instrumental in the 2023 victory in Rome, securing a team-high four points. After completing the career Grand Slam at the Masters earlier this year, he recently returned to the winner’s circle at the Irish Open.
Tommy Fleetwood
- World Ranking: 7
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 4
- Career Record: 7-3-2
Following his best season on the PGA Tour, Fleetwood finally earned his first victory on American soil at the Tour Championship. A fan favorite worldwide, he will face a hostile crowd at Bethpage Black. He boasts an impressive 4-0-0 record in foursomes across his previous Ryder Cup appearances.
Jon Rahm
- World Ranking: 73
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 4
- Career Record: 6-3-3
His world ranking has fallen since he joined the LIV Golf League, but the two-time major champion remains one of the world’s elite players. He recently won the LIV season-long points championship for the second consecutive year and has consistently been a powerful force for Europe, following in the footsteps of Spanish legends Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal.
Ludvig Åberg
- World Ranking: 16
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 2
- Career Record: 2-2-0
The 25-year-old Swede had a mixed season after winning the Genesis Invitational in February, but he played well in the FedEx Cup playoffs. After a solid 2-2-0 performance as a rookie in Rome, he will be looked upon to provide steady points for the European side.
Tyrrell Hatton
- World Ranking: 25
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 4
- Career Record: 5-4-2
Hatton was a star for Europe in Rome, earning 3½ points with an undefeated 3-0-1 record. He formed a dominant foursomes partnership with Jon Rahm and arrives in good form after strong finishes at the U.S. Open and the BMW PGA Championship.
Viktor Hovland
- World Ranking: 12
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 3
- Career Record: 3-4-3
Hovland’s first two Ryder Cups were starkly different. After going winless as a rookie, he rebounded in Rome to earn 3½ points with a 3-1-1 record. Though constantly refining his swing, his recent results have been excellent, including a top-five finish at the BMW PGA Championship.
Robert MacIntyre
- World Ranking: 9
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 2
- Career Record: 2-0-1
The 29-year-old Scot was a revelation in Rome, earning 2½ points in an impressive debut. Since then, he has developed into one of the world’s top players, winning twice on the PGA Tour in 2024 and finishing runner-up at the U.S. Open.
Matt Fitzpatrick
- World Ranking: 29
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 4
- Career Record: 1-7-0
The 2022 U.S. Open champion has struggled in the Ryder Cup, securing just one point in three appearances. However, his form has improved since hiring a new swing coach, evidenced by several recent top-10 finishes on both sides of the Atlantic, including a tie for fourth at The Open.
Shane Lowry
- World Ranking: 24
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 3
- Career Record: 2-3-1
A vocal and emotional leader for Team Europe, Lowry was a central figure in a heated confrontation on the 18th green in Rome. This is his third consecutive appearance as a captain’s pick, a testament to the value his passion and experience bring to the team room.
Sepp Straka
- World Ranking: 15
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 2
- Career Record: 1-2-0
Born in Austria and raised in the United States, Straka won twice on the PGA Tour this season. While his game cooled during the FedEx Cup playoffs, his strength lies in his accuracy. Though he doesn’t possess elite length, he rarely misses fairways and greens.
Justin Rose
- World Ranking: 14
- Ryder Cup Appearances: 7
- Career Record: 14-9-3
At 45, Rose is the veteran of the European team but continues to play at a world-class level, winning the first FedEx Cup playoff event this season. A member of four winning Ryder Cup teams, he was a key part of the “Miracle at Medinah” squad in 2012.
Rasmus Højgaard
- World Ranking: 58
- Ryder Cup Appearances: Rookie
The 24-year-old from Denmark is the only newcomer on the European team, following in the footsteps of his twin brother, Nicolai, who competed in Rome. Captain Luke Donald invited Rasmus to the 2023 event to observe, providing him with valuable familiarity. He is a five-time winner on the DP World Tour.
