September 4, 2025 2:20 pm

It is almost here, my favourite 3 days of the year.  This time the gladiators are heading to the Big Apple and Bethpage Black in New York is the site of the 45th staging of the best team golf championship in the world, bar none.

Firstly, a word or so on the venue. Bethpage Black is a municipal golf course and has hosted major championships in the past. It is famed for the degree of difficulty of its layout and the undulating nature of the greens.

The last time an away win was scored in the Ryder Cup was the “Miracle at Medinah” when Europe came back from a 10 to 6 deficit on the Sunday singles to triumph. One of the reasons such victories are rare is because the set up and choice of course is always made to suit the hosts.

Home Advantage

Bethpage is a course that lends itself to the US team strengths. The Americans generally are better putters, particularly on fast undulating greens. Players like Sam Burns, Russell Henley and Patrick Cantlay are masters of the flat stick.

The course has a lot of long par 4 holes. With Bryson De Chambeau in their side that will not faze them. They have some real form horses as well. Ben Griffin is back from nearly walking away from the game and is now the hottest property on the PGA Tour. Cameron Young is a New Yorker and has won round Bethpage Black.

But for me the biggest home advantage that team USA have this time are the New Yorkers themselves – the fabled 13th man. They can be loud – really loud in the afternoons – and team Europe will hear them all around the course.

This is a crowd that won’t be quietened. Even if Europe manage the 4 nil Friday morning start they achieved in Rome. The chant of U S A is going to be heard in Times Square. If I was Europe captain Luke Donald, I would get the guys on the practice range wearing headphones with as much noise coming out them as the players ears can handle.  They will have to get used to it.

My next point is a personal one and I make no apology. I am not a fan of what LIV have done to the men’s professional golf game. Therefore, I am disappointed that Tyrell Hatton and Jon Rahm are in the team. What sort of deterrent for jumping ship is that? At least in Rome, they sacked Henrik Stenson from being captain when he chose to take the LIV route.

Evenly matched teams

This year I believe the teams are the best matched I can ever remember. It is interesting that both captains have tried to play the underdog card, but I really think they are neck and neck. I also fear the home team advantage could swing the balance.

One of the main talking points before the teams were announced recently was would he or wouldn’t he? Would Keegan Bradley be the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer back in the 60’s? He has decided not to play, which, having been overlooked for Rome, must have been a very tough decision.

Right now his golf gets him in the team on merit, but I personally think it is not possible these days to do both jobs, play and captain. who has been the captain of a golf club for a year will tell you that it is the worst year for their own game. You spend too much time thinking about and dealing with the challenges of administration.  With the Ryder Cup that goes to a whole new level. There is no chance of doing both roles well.

The embroidery for Team Europe is the easiest it has ever been. Any leftover clothes from Rome can be recycled very simply as there has only been the change of one initial on the whole team. Rasmus Hojgaard replaces his twin brother Nicolai.

Who will make the difference?

Who are the form players for Europe? Rory has completed the Grand Slam of majors and Tommy Fleetwood has finally got into the PGA Tour winner’s circle. Rob McIntyre has acclimatised to the US way of life and Justin Rose has been back to his imperious best. Indeed, their top 6 and our top 6 are as close as we have ever had.

The lower order batsmen are often where these matches change hands, the brilliant but slightly less heralded. In team USA that would maybe be Harris English, Ben Griffin Russel Henley and Cameron Young. But they are mighty players, not to be underestimated.

I think this Ryder Cup will be decided on the form of the following players, for Team USA, J J Spaun,out of form Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele. If they get their games on fire and the atmosphere carries them to new heights, we are in trouble. But the bear pit of the Ryder Cup is not the place to have to find your game, so we may have a chance if those guys struggle.

Our weak links could be Rasmus and Victor Hovland, who is not the player he was in Rome. Jon Rahm is also a shadow of himself since joining LIV. Though I love his golf game, it is fair to say that Matthew Fitzpatrick, who has had a poor Ryder Cup record to date, is a definite risk. I would probably have gone for Harry Hall, with his PGA Tour experience and silky putting. Or Aaron Rai, the unflappable Midlander. But it is Luke Donald that makes the tough calls, and he has been exemplary at it so far.

Time to nail the colours to the mast. It goes without saying that I would wish a European victory, but although I think our team does look better than theirs, I am terrified of the 13th man on Team USA. I am going to suggest this will be a 14-point to 14-point draw.

Which means the trophy will head back to Europe! There, I’ve said it.

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