Ryder Cup 2025 at Bethpage Black billed as biggest in history
Hype swells as Rory McIlroy's Rome moment echoes at Bethpage; Keegan Bradley's captain-plays role fuels speculation ahead of Friday's start.
The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black is being billed as the biggest Ryder Cup in history, with unprecedented hype and expectations as the United States seeks to rebound from a lopsided defeat in Rome. The matches open Friday morning at Bethpage, and speculation centers on whether Keegan Bradley will captain the U.S. team and also play, a dual role that would add a new dynamic to the competition.
The current buzz traces to Rory McIlroy's microphone-drop moment at the close of the 2023 Ryder Cup postmatch news conference after Europe routed the United States 16 1/2 to 11 1/2 in Rome, a moment that has colored conversations about leadership and revenge on golf's grand stage. As the week unfolds, the event is being framed as a potential turning point with national expectations and global attention.
Bethpage Black is a public course on Long Island known for its length and rough, and it will host the team matches and the weekend singles. The U.S. roster and captaincy decisions are expected to influence strategy, with Bradley widely discussed as a potential captain who might also play. Any official selections would shape how the Americans approach the format, with an emphasis on pairing, course management, and momentum.
The event's scale has analysts predicting a spectacle that could lift golf's profile beyond the sport's traditional fan base. Tens of thousands of fans are expected on site, with substantial media coverage and a global audience tuning in across platforms as the rivalry unfolds over the weekend. The atmosphere at Bethpage is likely to amplify every key moment, from morning foursomes to Sunday singles.
Ultimately, the Ryder Cup tests teamwork, pressure handling, and adaptive game plans across the three-day slate. The competition blends foursomes, four-ball and singles in ways that reward aggressive strategy and precise execution. As Friday's opening matches approach, both teams will be measured by how quickly players build chemistry, handle the atmosphere, and take advantage of the course to gain early momentum.