Americans trail seven points behind

The 45th Ryder Cup match between Europe and America brings out the best golf in every player.  However, who would have thought in their wildest dreams that defending champions Europe would have a gigantic lead going into the Sunday matchplay singles at Bethpage Black, New York, USA (26-28 September 2025).  Indeed, Europe’s team captain Luke Donald was pretty lost for words when he described how he felt seeing his determined twelve a staggering seven points ahead of America with a tally of USA 4.5 and Europe 11.5.

 

In his usual calm manner, Luke Donald said: “The job is never done until it’s done”.  Of course, he is absolutely right.  On Sunday the complete teams of 12 players battle it out on the Bethpage Black golf course for the honour of winning the Ryder Cup.  Europe needs 14 points to retain the prestigious trophy, America has to earn 14.5 points.

 

Blistering start for Europe

 

Team Europe got off to a blistering start on day one when they scored 5.5 points in New York compared with 2.5 points by the Americans. How could the American team led by Keegan Bradley make a big comeback on day two?

 

Well, the Americans snatched the first foursomes point when Bryson DeChambeau partnered by Cameron Young defeated Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick and Ludvig Aberg (Sweden) by 4&2.  At this point, Europe were ahead in the other three matches.

 

 

 

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood (England) then won their match against Collin Morikawa and Harris English by 3&2.

 

Spain’s Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton (England) then repeated this 3&2 victory over Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay.

 

In the final match, the World Number One Scottie Scheffler played with Russell Henley against Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland (Norway).  The Europeans went 1-up on the 14th hole and then played some superb golf on the last few holes.

 

Viktor Hovland holed a putt of 10 feet or so for par on the par-3 17th.  Meanwhile Scheffler’s ball was on the green but Henley missed the putt so the hole was halved.  Europe were still 1-up.

 

On the final hole, Scheffler’s second shot finished in some deep rough between the bunkers in front of the green.  Hovland played a divine shot onto the green in two which left MacIntyre with two shots for victory.  Alas, his putt narrowly-missed the hole but the Americans conceded the match.

 

USA 3.5 – Europe 8.5 points.

 

The anticipation of great golf and gritting excitement also continued at Bethpage Black in the afternoon fourballs.

 

American Justin Thomas missed a short putt at the 14th which gave Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry the chance of winning the hole with a birdie.  On the 15th hole, McIlroy played a tremendous shot out of the thick rough which rolled back to the pin.  Thomas, partnered by Cameron Young, sank a long putt here.  Then Lowry holed a putt from more than three yards also for birdie leaving the Europeans at 1-up with three holes to play.

 

The par-3 14th of 135 yards was where Tommy Fleetwood nearly made a hole-in-one.  Indeed, Bryson DeChambeau also flew his ball within a metre of the flag.  At this point, both teams were on a high as Fleetwood/Rose were 10-under par and Scottie Scheffler and DeChambeau were 8-under.  Yes, just as you thought the golf could not get any better then there was another spectacular shot – amazing!

 

Justin Rose holed a super birdie putt at the 14th while DeChambeau let his putt slip by.  The Europeans were now 3-up with four holes to play.

 

Europe in fighting-form

 

In order to secure victory of the Ryder Cup, Europe needs just 5.5 more points.  They are leading in all the fourball matches this afternoon which means that if they win them all then Europe needs to win just another 1.5 points on Sunday – now that is very interesting!  However, the Sunday singles can always deliver a few unexpected surprises.  So please watch this space!

 

Rose made another birdie at the 15th where DeChambeau holed his putt too.  Europe now stands at 3-up with three holes to play.  Yet Justin Rose rather unintentionally had a few awkward words with the caddy of Bryson DeChambeau who was standing on his line.  The situation was later resolved but did cause some frustration in the fourball.

 

Tyrrell Hatton missed a putt from less than six feet at the 14th so let the Americans claw-back to level in the match.

 

McIlroy and Lowry made four birdies in a row on the back nine and finally beat Thomas and Young with a 2-up victory.

 

Fleetwood missed a short putt at the 16th but never fear as Justin Rose holed out for a 3&2 victory for Europe.  All credit to Tommy Fleetwood as he is the first player to win all four opening Ryder Cup matches on foreign soil since 1979.

 

So how is the score looking?  Well, still rather magical really: USA 3.5 – 10.5 Europe.

 

American J.J. Spaun is having a great Ryder Cup this year.  With his partner, Xander Schauffele, Spaun fired his tee-shot on the par-3 17th within a tap-in of the hole.  His birdie earned the Americans a 1-up victory with one hole to play.

 

Hatton holed a super putt at the 16th.  What could the Americans do?  Well, the putt from Sam Burns came up an inch too short.  However, Cantlay holed his putt so they are still tied.

 

On the 17th, Cantlay holed a long putt for birdie.  Then Hatton holed out for birdie too.  It was all so exciting as this match would obviously be decided on the final hole.

 

Jon Rahm was in the bunker before the green on the 18th but he splashed out and made par.  Spaun made his birdie and so earned an important point for America.

 

Fitzpatrick and Hatton were also in good form down the final hole.  Fitzpatrick played a superb shot out of the bunker to about 12 inches from the hole.  Hatton then impressed the crowds with an approach shot which actually nudged Fitzpatrick’s ball.  The Americans had to concede the hole giving Europe another glorious Ryder Cup point.

 

So what is the current status of the match? USA 4.5 – 11.5 Europe

 

The Sunday singles will give the Europeans a tremendous boost to retain the 45th Ryder Cup.  But let’s not forget how driven the Americans are to win back the trophy.  Please enjoy the final round at Bethpage Black – it could be one for the history books!

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  A very happy Team Europe with Viktor Hovland (left) and Robert MacIntyre.  MINIS (l-r): Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland, Robert MacIntyre and Jon Rahm.