The Ryder Cup starts in just over two months, and the U.S. and European teams are starting to take shape. Each team is allowed to bring 12 players to Bethpage Black in New York for the event.
The top 6 players on the U.S. points list will automatically qualify following the BMW Championship taking place the week of August 11. The players can earn points from the beginning of the 2024 season all the way to the 2025 BMW Championship. The players earn one point for every $1,000 earned when making a cut in all 2024 and 2025 non-major events. In the 2025 season, players earn 1.5 points per $1,000 they earned for making a cut in one of the four majors. Captain Keegan Bradley will pick 6 other players to join the 6 automatic qualifiers.
The top 6 players on the European points list will automatically qualify following the Betfred British Masters ending on August 24. Captain Luke Donald will lead the European team again after he was successful in 2023. Just like Team USA Captain Bradley, Donald will also get 6 captain picks to bring with the 6 automatic qualifiers.
The European team will look to retain the cup after defeating Team USA in the 2023 Ryder Cup 16.5 to 11.5 two years ago.
2025 Ryder Cup Quick Facts
- When: September 26-28, 2025
- Where: Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York
- Format: Match Play (four-ball, foursomes and singles)
- How to Watch: NBC/Peacock, Golf Channel
- Team Qualifications: Team USA after the 2025 BMW Championship, Team Europe after the Betfred British Masters
Ryder Cup History
The first Ryder Cup was held in 1927, and it was initially contested between Great Britain and the United States. From 1947-1977, the European team consisted of players from Great Britain and Ireland. But in 1979, players from continental Europe were included to make the event more competitive.
The Ryder Cup takes place every two years, with the location of the event alternating between an American golf course and a European golf course. In 2027, the Ryder Cup will be in Ireland at The Golf Course at Adare Manor.
Bethpage Black
This will be the first time Bethpage Black will host the Ryder Cup. It has hosted three major championships – the U.S. Open in 2002 and 2009 and the PGA Championship in 2019.
This golf course in Farmingdale, NY, plays at just over 7,400 yards as a par 71. The course record of 63 was set by Brooks Koepka at the 2019 PGA Championship, which he ended up winning. It is rated as the 38th best golf course in America and 6th hardest golf course in America by Golf Digest.
Ryder Cup Format
The Ryder Cup is a match play competition, which differs from the stroke play we typically see at the PGA and DP World Tour events.
The objective is to win the match on each hole and ultimately win more holes than your opponent. Whichever team wins more holes through the match will win the point for their respective team. If the number of holes won is a tie, then each team receives a half point.
To win the Ryder Cup, the team needs to win at least 14 points. There are 28 points available over the three-day competition. If the teams tie with 14 points apiece, the team who won the previous Ryder Cup retains the cup (in this case, it would be Team Europe).
Over the three days, the teams will play three different formats of match play. On Friday and Saturday, the first two days, there will be a morning and afternoon session where they will play four-ball matches in one session and foursomes matches in the next; Sunday will be 12 single matches where players go one-on-one against each other. This is a similar format to the 2024 Solheim Cup.
How Does Four-Ball Match Play Work?
In the four-ball sessions, each team will send out four pairings of two to compete against the other team. In four-ball, each player plays his own ball and whatever player records the lowest score on the hole wins that hole. If the lowest score on both sides is the same (i.e., each team records a birdie), then the hole is tied.
How Does Foursome Match Play (Alternate Shot) Work?
In the foursome matches, each team will also send out four pairings of two to compete against the other team. This format is different because the players will play alternate shot with their playing partner. One partner will tee off on the odd numbered holes and the other partner will tee off on the even numbered holes.
Again, whichever team records the lower score on the hole wins that hole, and if the lower score is the same, then the hole is tied.
How Does Singles Match Play Work?
On Sunday, the teams will play 12 single matches that pairs one player on team Europe against one player on Team USA. The scoring for this is the same as the four-ball and foursome matches.
These matches usually draw the largest crowds because we get to see some of the best players in the world face off against each other.
