The Ryder Cup is back after a two-year wait, and it is happening in America this year after a four-year wait.
The competition will take place at Bethpage Black Golf Course in New York state, just an hour east from New York City. It will take place Friday through Sunday.
Although the Ryder Cup is one of the most coveted events in golf, some viewers do not understand how it works, or how it is played.
The competition has the U.S. competing against Europe. Each team has 12 players – six players automatically qualify and six are picked by the team’s captain.
Luke Donald is the captain for Europe and Keegan Bradley is the captain of the U.S. After Keegan Bradley won the Travelers Championship, many people expected him to pick himself to play for the U.S., but he opted out.
On the first two days of the competition, the teams play in pairs in the four balls and foursome formats.
In four balls, the best score on the hole wins. In foursome, the pairs alternate shots and the best score by team on the whole wins it.
On Sunday it is regular match play, with each player competing against someone from the other team.
If a team wins a match, four ball, or foursome, they get a point, with a total of 28 points available. If the competition ends 14-14, the previous winner retains the trophy.
The European team won the last Ryder Cup in 2023, and 11 of those 12 players are returning for 2025. Some of the big names on the team are Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood.
McIlroy recently became the sixth player ever to win a grand slam after winning The Masters in April. At 36, he is still one of the best players in the world.
Fleetwood has been famous for not being able to win a Tour event despite always being so close. He was finally able to win an event in August after winning the Tour Championship. He is playing the best he ever has and this win might fuel him going into the Ryder Cup.
On the other hand, the U.S. team is looking relatively new. Only half of the team from 2023 is returning this year. The big names on the team are Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler.
By the numbers, Scheffler has probably had the best season by any player not named Tiger Woods. He was able to win The Open and The PGA Championship.
Despite a slightly disappointing 2025, DeChambeau is still a top player in the world. He is also a big fan favorite for his content on social media and his long drives.
As for new players, the most exciting one for the U.S. is 35-year-old J.J. Spaun. After being pretty average for most of his career, Spaun has had a breakout year where he was able to win the U.S. Open.
The odds for the competition are pretty even, with both teams having a good chance to win. Europe has a lot more experience in the competition, while the U.S. has more star power. The U.S. also has the best player in the world in Scottie Scheffler.
