The 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black is set to commence on Friday, September 26th, 2025, offering a unique twist on the conventional PGA Tour tournament format. This biennial event sees two teams, consisting of 12 players each from the United States and Europe, competing in 28 matches across three days.
In contrast to the typical four-day stroke play seen in regular PGA Tour events, the Ryder Cup adopts a distinctive match-play format. The first two days feature eight team matches per day, with foursome matches in the morning and four-ball matches in the afternoon. Foursomes involve teams of two playing alternate shots with a single ball, while in four-ball, each team member plays their own ball, and the best score on each hole counts for the team.
The final day of competition is reserved for 12 singles matches, where players face off head-to-head in individual matches. Each match is worth one point regardless of the margin by which a player wins a hole. A win is denoted as “1 up,” and ties leave the match “all square.”
Bethpage Black will see Keegan Bradley lead the U.S. team and Luke Donald at the helm for the Europeans. Their strategic decisions on player pairings and play order could prove crucial, as not all players may participate in each session, allowing captains to tailor their strategies to exploit strengths and counter weaknesses.
The excitement culminates in the singles matches, where every team member tackles an opponent in one-on-one encounters. This structure emphasizes dynamic gameplay and team strategy, distinguishing the Ryder Cup as an event not just of skill but of strategic acumen and team spirit.
For golf enthusiasts, the Ryder Cup promises a thrilling and competitive showcase of talent where every shot and decision could turn the tide in this prestigious battle between the two continents.