Ryder Cup Guide: History, Rules, and More
By Bill Irwin
Cauldron at Bethpage: Golf’s Loudest, Rowdiest Showdown Comes to New York
No other golf event hits like the Ryder Cup. One of the world’s greatest sporting events, it transcends sport. This biannual showdown between Europe and the United States tees off Friday, September 26, and wraps up Sunday the 28th—and this year, the heat is cranked all the way up. The venue? Bethpage State Park’s Black Course, a gritty, public Long Island course known for its brutal layout and rowdy New York crowds.
The Ryder Cup is golf’s most intense and pressure-packed stage. Whether you’re a diehard golf enthusiast or just tuning in to see what all the fuss is about, we’ve got you. This guide breaks down how the Ryder Cup works, how players and captains are picked, offers a quick history of the matches and explains why every shot feels like life or death.
What Is the Ryder Cup and Why It Matters
The Ryder Cup is a team match-play competition between Europe and the United States, played for the gold Ryder Cup trophy named after the event’s English founder, Samuel Ryder. It’s professional golf played for pride—not prize money (a bit more on that later). In a sport dominated by individual golf tournaments—where every player is out for themself—this flips the script. It’s totally team-focused and tribal. It’s intense. It’s history and legacy on the line.
There’s drama. There’s pressure. There’s no shrugging off a loss—players feel it in equal measure, because every point counts. The crowd roars, tempers flare, and every match result is magnified because you’re not just playing for yourself. You’re playing for the flag on your sleeve.
Sunday is the climax: twelve singles matches, winner-takes-all. Maybe this year we’ll get a gut-wrenching, nail-biting final day finish. The last few Ryder Cups haven’t gone down to the wire—blowouts have ruled—but the format’s volatility means anything can happen. One clutch putt can flip everything.
This isn’t just another tournament. It’s golf’s loudest, rawest, most electrifying battleground, and this year, count on a frenzied New York crowd ramping it up even more.
Who Runs the Ryder Cup?
The Ryder Cup is co-owned by the PGA of America (owning the U.S. half) and Ryder Cup Europe (holding the European half). Ryder Cup Europe is an arm of the DP World (formerly the European Tour) and its partners. While the event is a collaboration, each side independently manages its own team. Different systems, different vibes—but when the matches start, it’s all one high-stakes fight for the Cup.
How Often Is the Ryder Cup Played?
The Ryder Cup is played every two years, alternating between venues in the U.S. and Europe—a tradition dating back to the inaugural 1927 contest. Originally a friendly match between the U.S. and Great Britain & Ireland meant to promote goodwill, it quickly became lopsided. American dominance drained the drama and interest.
To fix that, players from continental Europe were added in 1979. That one change—plus the fire of legends like Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo—supercharged the Cup into the fierce, can’t-miss showdown it is today.
Though usually biennial, the schedule has been disrupted a few times. World War II put it on pause for a decade. After 9/11, the 2001 event was pushed to 2002. And COVID bumped the 2020 Ryder Cup to 2021.
Still, the Ryder Cup remains one of golf’s most electric and enduring traditions—less a tournament, more a gladiatorial turf war.
Bethpage Black: New York’s Relentless Ryder Cup Star
Bethpage Black is unique among Ryder Cup venues—it’s a New York original. Designed in the 1930s by A.W. Tillinghast, the Black is brutally long, with narrow, tree-lined fairways, thick rough, deep bunkers, firm greens, and unpredictable winds. The infamous first-tee sign warns that it’s “extremely difficult” and meant only for “highly skilled golfers.”
Real New Yorkers know that already—they consider it their course. It’s public, affordable, and worlds from the country-club vibe of most U.S. Ryder Cup venues. When the U.S. Open came here in 2002, it was dubbed “The People’s Open.” Now it’s New York’s Ryder Cup.
U.S. captain Keegan Bradley has deep connections with it. While attending St. John’s University, he played the Black Course countless times and still calls it his favorite golf course in the world. He understands how tough it plays—and how loud New York fans can get. That edge could matter.
Breaking Down the Ryder Cup Format
The Ryder Cup competition runs Friday through Sunday—a team-format golf match played in match-play style—hole by hole, not total score. Every hole is either won, lost, or tied. It doesn’t matter what you shot—only whether you beat your opponent on that hole.
Friday & Saturday: Team Matches
Each day features two sessions (morning and afternoon), with four matches in each—eight total per day. The formats alternate:
- Foursomes: Teammates alternate shots with the same ball. One takes tee shots on the odd-numbered holes, the other on the even-numbered holes. Total trust, zero margin for misfires.
- Four-balls: Each player plays their own ball; the lowest score on each hole counts toward the team. Think bold, go-for-it golf.
Only eight players per team compete in each session, so captains must decide who plays, who rests, and when. The home team chooses the format order (foursomes vs. four-balls).
Sunday: Singles Showdown
All 12 players go one-on-one. No backups. Just you, your opponent head-to-head, and the pressure. This is where legends—and heartbreaks—are made.
How Ryder Cup Scoring Really Works
There are 28 total points available:
- 16 from team sessions (8 matches on Friday, 8 on Saturday)
- 12 from Sunday singles
Each match is worth a single point. If it’s tied after 18 holes, each side earns ½ point.
To win the Ryder Cup outright, a team needs 14½ points. If the final score is 14–14, the team currently holding the Cup retains it.
Ryder Cup Match Play Rules
Every match is match play, scored hole by hole. Win more holes than your opponent and you win the match. If it’s tied after 18 holes, it ends in a tie. Unlike many other match-play competitions, in Ryder Cup matches there are no playoffs or extra holes.
Players can concede putts—or even entire holes—and they often do. It’s part etiquette, part mind game.
The Captain’s Role
Before each session, captains submit their lineups in secret, deciding who plays and in what order. Since neither side knows the other’s picks, it becomes a strategic guessing game.
Pairings aren’t just about talent. Captains have to consider form, personality, course fit, expected matchups, and team chemistry. One well-timed pairing can swing the momentum of an entire day.
During play, captains and assistant captains can give advice to players—extra sets of eyes and minds that can be crucial in clutch moments.
2025 Ryder Cup Captains — Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald
Keegan Bradley captains Team USA in 2025—a surprise to some, but an inspired choice to many. A major winner and fiery competitor, Bradley says the Black Course is his all-time favorite. He played in the 2012 and 2014 Cups (4-3 overall record) but was controversially left off the 2023 team. That snub still stings—and fuels him in equal measure. At 39, he’s the youngest U.S. captain in decades—relatable, intense, and likely to bring a fresh, aggressive energy, especially at Bethpage State Park.
European team captain Luke Donald returns after his masterclass at the 2023 matches in Italy. The former world No. 1 is known for consistency, elite iron play, and steady leadership. Respected by veterans and rising stars alike, Donald’s calm, strategic style helped restore Europe’s unity after the 2021 lopsided loss at Whistling Straits—and may be just what’s needed to handle the chaos of a New York Ryder Cup.
How Are Ryder Cup Teams Formed?
Each Ryder Cup team has 12 players, with teams selected through a mix of automatic qualifiers and captain’s picks. Each side follows its own process.
U.S. Team
The top six eligible players qualify based on points earned through the BMW Championship (August 17, 2025). After that, team captain Keegan Bradley will select six more. While he can name them anytime after the BMW, he’s expected to wait until the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club ends on August 24.
European Team
Europe’s six automatic spots are determined by its own points system, which concludes with the Betfred British Masters on August 25. Captain Luke Donald will then add six captain’s picks to complete the roster.
Can LIV Golfers Play in the Ryder Cup?
Yes—LIV golfers are eligible if they qualify on points or receive a captain’s pick.
U.S. Team
Since LIV players don’t compete in most PGA Tour events, where the bulk of Ryder Cup points are earned, qualifying on points is tough. However, major championships still count—putting Bryson DeChambeau (2025 U.S. Open winner with consistently strong finishes in other majors) in a near-lock position this year. Brooks Koepka remains the only LIV golfer to make a U.S. team so far, earning a captain’s pick in 2023.
European Team
Europe’s points system allows LIV players to qualify if they retain DP World Tour membership and meet participation requirements. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, both now with LIV, are currently well-positioned to qualify on points. Captain Luke Donald can also select LIV players as captain’s picks.
Can Captains Play?
Technically, yes—Ryder Cup captains can play. In fact, during the competition’s early decades, playing captains were the norm. Walter Hagen led the U.S. team in the first six Ryder Cups and played in five. The last to do so was Arnold Palmer in 1967.
But times have changed. Today’s captain juggles qualifying, pairings, media, and team dynamics—making the idea of a playing captain all but obsolete. A captain would also have to take one of the 12 roster spots—not simply add himself as a 13th man.
That said, 2025 brings an intriguing twist: U.S. captain Keegan Bradley is still competitive and hasn’t ruled out playing—if he qualifies on points. He’s made it clear he won’t pick himself, but the dilemma looms.
When are the Ryder Cup Teams Announced?
Team USA’s qualifiers are locked in after August 17, with Bradley’s picks likely coming after the Tour Championship.
Team Europe finalizes its six on August 25, with Donald expected to announce his selections soon after.
Are Ryder Cup Players and Captains Paid?
Team Europe plays for pride—always has. Players receive travel, lodging, and team gear, but no personal pay. Representing Europe remains the ultimate honor.
Team USA’s approach is more complex—and changing in 2025. For the first time, each U.S. player and the captain will receive $500,000 total: $300,000 goes to charity, as it has since 1999, while a new $200,000 stipend goes directly to them.
The PGA of America says the change addresses long-standing concerns among some U.S. players. Still, it sets up a clear contrast—one side competes purely for country, the other also gets a paycheck. The Americans may insist it’s not about the money, but the Euros—and the fans—might see it differently.
Match Time: Who Plays, When, and Why It Matters
Who plays—and how often—is entirely up to the captain. Some players might compete in all five sessions (two each on Friday and Saturday, plus Sunday singles), while others may sit out multiple matches.
The only required round is Sunday singles. A player can earn up to five points, but most appear in three or four matches, depending on form, stamina, and strategy.
No Substitutions in Team Sessions
Once pairings are submitted for four-balls or foursomes, they’re locked. If a player can’t go, the match is forfeited—no subs, no 2-vs-1.
The opposing team gets the full point, no questions asked.
The Envelope Rule (Sunday Only)
There’s one exception—used only for singles matches. Before singles begin, each captain secretly names one player and seals the name in an envelope. If an opponent can’t compete due to injury or illness:
- That player and the envelope pick both sit out.
- Their match is considered tied, and each team receives ½ point.
The rule, in place since 1979, has only been used three times. It’s a quirky safeguard—but one every captain must be ready for.
Ryder Cup History, Headed for Bethpage
As Bethpage State Park readies for the 2025 Ryder Cup, it’s about to write a whole new chapter in the history of one of the world’s greatest sporting events. That story began in 1927, when the first official matches were held at Worcester Country Club (Worcester Country Club) in Massachusetts. It didn’t go well for the British professionals—Team USA drubbed the British team, winning 9½ to 2½.
Among past Ryder Cup venues, The Belfry’s Barbazon Course stands tall, having hosted a record four times. So far, no U.S. golf course has hosted more than once and all previous Cup matches on U.S. soil have been played at private country club venues or at luxury resorts. The Ryder Cup didn’t head to continental Europe until 1997, when Spain’s Real Club Valderrama played host. Fittingly, it was a Europe win, and a defining moment in the legend of Seve Ballesteros, who captained the home side to victory.
For much of its early history, the Ryder Cup was defined by fair play and good sportsmanship—none more iconic than in 1969 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club (Royal Birkdale Golf Club), when Jack Nicklaus famously conceded a short putt to Britain’s Tony Jacklin on the final green. Had Jacklin missed, the U.S. would’ve won the entire competition. Instead, the matches ended in a tie and gave birth to golf’s most enduring gesture of sportsmanship: The Concession.
Since then, the tone has sharpened. The rivalry got louder, edgier. Nowhere was that more apparent than in 1991 at the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina—The War on the Shore. Fueled by claims of gamesmanship, rules disputes, and drama over alleged lineup changes, the tension was sky-high. The U.S., sporting military-style outfits and channeling Desert Storm vibes, edged Europe by a single point.
What kind of energy will Bethpage deliver? That remains to be seen—but if history’s any clue, expect this New York showdown to fire-breathe grit, noise, passion, and incredible golf in equal measure.
Who Won the Last Ryder Cup?
European players crushed it in 2023, winning 16½ to 11½ at Marco Simone Golf Club outside Rome—the first Ryder Cup ever held in Italy. Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland, and Jon Rahm set the tone with clutch play and serious fire. The American team, meanwhile, never found its footing. Tellingly, Scottie Scheffler was reduced to tears after a brutal 9&7 foursomes loss.
Things got spicy on Saturday. Patrick Cantlay, reportedly upset over the no-pay policy, ditched his U.S. team cap—fueling “pay protest” chants from European fans. After Cantlay drained a putt on 18, his caddie Joe LaCava lingered in celebration, visibly irritating Rory McIlroy. Emotions were already running hot on that last hole—and they soon boiled over. Moments later McIlroy got into a heated exchange in the parking lot with caddie Jim “Bones” Mackay—an encounter that instantly went viral.
With the Black Course at Bethpage State Park—and its famously rowdy New York fans—set to host in September, the only real question is: how much hotter will the cauldron burn this time?
Ryder Cup vs. Presidents Cup
In Ryder Cup off-years, the Presidents Cup fills the calendar. It’s another match-play showdown—Team USA vs. an International squad (excluding Europe)—but it’s always lacked the drama, history, and raw emotion of the Ryder Cup.
The formats are similar, but the Ryder Cup’s tribal pride and continental rivalry just hit harder. Team USA has mostly dominated the Presidents Cup, and the International side is still chasing an identity. Competitive? Yes. Captivating like the Ryder Cup? Not quite.
2025 Ryder Cup — How Much are Tickets?
Tickets for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black went on sale in November 2024—and sold out fast, even at sky-high prices. Here’s what the PGA of America originally charged:
- Competition days (Friday–Sunday): $750/day (includes unlimited food and non-alcoholic drinks)
- Thursday (Final practice + Opening ceremony): $424
- Tuesday & Wednesday practice days: $255 each
For comparison, a 2025 Masters competition-round ticket (via lottery) cost just $140.
Can you still get in?
Yes—but expect to pay a premium. A limited number of official ticket + travel packages remain through the Ryder Cup website. If you’re only after tickets, the resale market is your best bet. SeatGeek is the official resale partner (accessible via the Ryder Cup site), but be ready for steep markups and added fees.
Bring on the 2025 Ryder Cup
If you’re not already fired up for the Ryder Cup matches, just wait for that first tee shot. This is must-watch golf—arguably the most electric event in the sport, maybe in all of sports. From the intensity of match play on the Black Course—one of the game’s toughest tests—to the team chemistry and the wildly passionate New York crowd, everything is turned up to eleven. Pride, history, and legacy are on the line. Every point feels like life or death.
Get ready for three unforgettable, fever-pitched days of incredible golf. Expect roars, pressure, and pure adrenaline as golf invades New York with full force. The 2025 Ryder Cup can’t come soon enough.
And Coming soon . . . Where will the 2027 Ryder Cup be Played?
The Ryder Cup returns to Europe in 2027—at Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland. The event runs September 13–19, with the main action teeing off Friday through Sunday (Sept. 17–19).
Set on the grounds of a restored 19th-century castle, Adare Manor is a Tom Fazio-designed stunner—and now one of the world’s most luxurious golf resorts.
General ticket access is expected to open in 2026.
