Bethpage Black, located on Long Island in Farmingdale, New York, is one of the most feared and celebrated public golf courses in the world. Designed by legendary architect A.W. Tillinghast and opened in 1936, the Black Course has a reputation for brutal difficulty, demanding both accuracy and power from the tee and precision on approach shots.
The course famously begins with a warning sign at the first tee: "The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers." That sets the tone for a layout defined by narrow fairways, thick rough, deep bunkers, and fast, sloping greens. At over 7,400 yards, it is a true test of stamina and strategy.
Bethpage has hosted some of golf's biggest championships, including the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Opens and the 2019 PGA Championship, each time showcasing its ability to challenge the world's best. It will now step into the Ryder Cup spotlight for the first time in September 2025, promising a fierce stage for Europe and the United States.
The boisterous New York crowds are expected to play a major role in the atmosphere, providing an intimidating backdrop for Europe and a raucous home advantage for Team USA. The demanding layout, combined with the intensity of Ryder Cup match play, should ensure unforgettable drama and highlight-reel moments across all three days of competition.
The last Ryder Cup, staged at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, saw Europe reclaim the trophy with a dominant performance. Under Luke Donald's leadership, the Europeans surged ahead early with inspired foursomes play and never looked back, eventually sealing a 161/2-111/2 victory over Team USA. The atmosphere was electric, with huge crowds in Italy creating a true home advantage, and the European players feeding off the energy throughout the weekend.
Key performers included TaylorMade's Rory McIlroy, who delivered four points from five matches, Tommy Fleetwood, who clinched the winning point on Sunday, and Viktor Hovland, whose consistency made him one of the stars of the week. Veterans like Justin Rose and Shane Lowry also played pivotal roles, adding experience and composure to balance out Europe's younger talent. Donald's careful pairing strategies ensured chemistry in foursomes and four-balls, a factor that tilted momentum firmly towards Europe.
What stands out two years later is that Europe could arrive at Bethpage Black with a remarkably similar squad. Many of the 2023 heroes have already qualified or are on the cusp of automatic places for 2025. McIlroy, Fleetwood, Rose and Tyrrell Hatton have secured their spots, while Robert MacIntyre and Rasmus Højgaard have joined them as new automatic qualifiers. Add in potential captain's picks for Hovland, Lowry, and the rising Ludvig Åberg, and the backbone of Donald's winning team is likely to remain intact.
The continuity could prove decisive. In Rome, the team dynamic, spirit, and balance of experience and youth gave Europe the edge. Replicating that formula at Bethpage will be crucial against a strong American side, particularly on hostile away soil. With Donald returning as captain, the same leadership and trusted strategy are in place. If the same core of players deliver again, Europe could have every chance of repeating their 2023 triumph -- this time in one of the most challenging environments imaginable.
| Player | Rome 2023 | Projected Bethpage 2025 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rory McIlroy | Yes | Qualified | Team leader, in peak form |
| Tommy Fleetwood | Yes | Qualified | Clinched winning point in Rome |
| Justin Rose | Yes | Qualified | Veteran presence, steady in foursomes |
| Tyrrell Hatton | Yes | Qualified | Fiery competitor, key in match play |
| Viktor Hovland | Yes | Likely Pick | Rock solid in Rome, expected again |
| Shane Lowry | Yes | In Contention | Brings grit & passion, fringe for 2025 |
| Jon Rahm | Yes | In Contention | Star of 2023, LIV status may impact role |
| Robert MacIntyre | Yes | Qualified | Clutch performer, already secured spot |
| Sepp Straka | Yes | In Contention | Consistent ball-striker, close to auto spots |
| Ludvig Åberg | Yes (Rookie) | In Contention | Breakout rookie in 2023, strong chance again |
| Rasmus Højgaard | No | Qualified | New addition, automatic qualifier |
| Nicolai Højgaard | Yes | In Contention | Played in Rome, could return as pick |
Dates: Tournament week runs 23-28 September 2025; the matches are played Friday-Sunday, 26-28 September 2025 at Bethpage Black, Farmingdale, New York.
| Team Europe - Automatic Qualifiers | Team USA - Automatic Qualifiers |
|---|---|
| Rory McIlroy (TaylorMade) | Scottie Scheffler |
| Tommy Fleetwood | Xander Schauffele |
| Justin Rose | J.J. Spaun |
| Tyrrell Hatton | Russell Henley |
| Robert MacIntyre | Harris English |
| Rasmus Højgaard | Bryson DeChambeau |
| Captain Luke Donald will announce six Captain's Picks on 1 September. | Captain Keegan Bradley will name six Captain's Picks after the BMW Championship. |
| Day | Session | Format | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday (26 Sep) | Morning | Foursomes (Alternate Shot) | 4 |
| Friday (26 Sep) | Afternoon | Four-balls (Best Ball) | 4 |
| Saturday (27 Sep) | Morning | Foursomes (Alternate Shot) | 4 |
| Saturday (27 Sep) | Afternoon | Four-balls (Best Ball) | 4 |
| Sunday (28 Sep) | Singles | Head-to-Head | 12 |
As of 25 August 2025 - six automatic qualifiers are marked.
| Rank | Player | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rory McIlroy | Qualified |
| 2 | Robert MacIntyre | Qualified |
| 3 | Tommy Fleetwood | Qualified |
| 4 | Justin Rose | Qualified |
| 5 | Tyrrell Hatton | Qualified |
| 6 | Rasmus Højgaard | Qualified |
| 7 | Shane Lowry | In contention |
| 8 | Sepp Straka | In contention |
| 9 | Ludvig Åberg | In contention |
| 10 | Viktor Hovland | In contention |
Note: Captain's Picks and final rosters will follow the qualification deadlines noted above.
Whether watching from the clubhouse or following the action on television, the combination of strategy, skill, and history ensures that this year's Ryder Cup will be remembered for a long time.
As fans look forward to the next season, they can also prepare their own game by exploring the latest golf equipment and accessories at Golf Gear Direct, where the right clubs, balls, and golf gear help every player improve their performance on the course.
