McIlroy leads star-studded Ryder Cup Welcome Dinner in New York ahead of Bethpage Black showdown
Europe and the United States gather for a formal gathering at Hempstead House as security tightens and weather concerns loom ahead of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black
Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica Stoll led a star-studded gathering at the Ryder Cup Welcome Dinner on Tuesday night, as Team Europe and Team USA assembled at Hempstead House in Sands Point, New York, ahead of the 2025 competition at Bethpage Black. The black-tie event is a longtime tradition designed to loosen the atmosphere and foster camaraderie among the teams before the competitive week begins.
McIlroy arrived in a classic black suit and tie, with Stoll opting for a sleek black dress as the pair greeted other players and their partners. World No. 2 Jon Rahm followed with his wife Kelley Rahm, who wore a bronze gown with crystal detailing. The couple smiled for photographers as they joined a lineup that included Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland, all suited and ready for the formal evening. The European group was led by captain Luke Donald, with the players and their companions posing together for photographs as the event’s formal atmosphere unfolded.
The Welcome Dinner is a longstanding Ryder Cup ritual, offering players a chance to unwind and build team spirit before a week of intense competition that will begin on Friday, September 26, at Bethpage Black on Long Island. Bethpage Black is known as one of the PGA Tour’s most demanding courses, and this year’s matchup will mark the event’s return to the United States for the first time since Whistling Straits in 2021, where Team USA claimed a dominant victory. Europe heads into the week seeking to defend the title won at Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome in 2023.
As the field prepares for the start, players are scheduled to return to practice rounds on Wednesday, with final pairings expected to be confirmed for Friday’s foursomes. While the on-course competition looms, organizers emphasize the social gathering’s role in fostering cohesion between the two sides ahead of a week that typically features tense moments, high adrenaline and a global audience tuned into the Ryder Cup.
The week has already carried added security considerations. Security officials say the operation surrounding the Ryder Cup—described as on par with a Super Bowl—it has expanded to include drones and bomb-disposal dogs, as well as units prepared to respond to chemical, biological and radiological threats. Major Stephen Udice, the top local commander overseeing Ryder Cup security, told the BBC that planners are preparing for the worst while hoping for the best. He said, If anything, the likelihood of somebody trying to use an event like this to make a statement is only increased. The presence of a high-profile political figure in the area during the event, with President Donald Trump slated to attend on Friday to support participating players, has added another layer to an already complex security operation.
Security planners emphasize that the measures are designed to protect fans, players and staff while keeping the week’s focus on golf. The heightened precautions reflect the scale of the Ryder Cup experience, which combines sport with pageantry and intense national pride, and demand close coordination among local authorities, event organizers and the competing teams.
Beyond the security posture, the tone inside Hempstead House reflected a blending of celebration and anticipation. The evening offered a snapshot of the week ahead: teams and their partners sharing lighthearted moments, team photos capturing the camaraderie, and a reminder that while the Ryder Cup is a fierce contest, it also thrives on the relationships built off the course. As the couples and crews mingled, the two sides appeared determined to put any external distractions in perspective and focus on golf’s traditional balance of precision, resilience and teamwork.
With the stage set at Hempstead House and Bethpage Black awaiting the opening rounds, players, captains and supporters alike are poised for a Ryder Cup season that could hinge on a few bold shots, strategic partnerships and the ability to maintain composure through a week of global attention. The 2025 edition will test whether Team Europe can repeat their 2023 triumph, or if the United States can reclaim a title that has long defined the rivalry between these two golfing powerhouses.