Ryder Cup 2025: A Bucket List Weekend at Bethpage Black

Opening tee at Bethpage Black — pure Ryder Cup chaos.

Foreword

The Ryder Cup is the best event golf has to offer, hands down. Once every two years, players who compete against each other all season come together to represent their countries and fight for one of the most coveted trophies in the game.

Friday and Saturday feature eight matches each day — morning Foursomes (Alternate Shot) and afternoon Fourball (Best Ball). Sunday is the grand finale, with all twelve golfers squaring off in Singles matches worth one point apiece. Halved matches split the point.

That mix of passion, pressure, and patriotism is what’s made the Ryder Cup my favorite sporting event to watch.

How It Started

Four years ago, I watched Whistling Straits from my couch thinking, I’ve got to get to a Ryder Cup someday.

Two years ago, I almost pulled the trigger for Italy but couldn’t justify the cost — thankfully so, since by the time I woke up Friday morning to watch at our local simulator (Atlanta Golf & Social), it was already over. Europe swept the morning 4–0 and never looked back.

Fast forward to early 2025: the Ryder Cup is coming to Bethpage Black on Long Island. My aunt and uncle live nearby, and my cousin even volunteered there during the 2009 U.S. Open. One call with my dad later and I had him convinced: this was a bucket-list trip and the easiest Ryder Cup we’d ever get to — no international flights, no hotels. Tickets secured.

Arrival

I landed late Wednesday night at LaGuardia and immediately felt the buzz. After a white-knuckle drive through the rain out to Hauppauge, I met my parents and uncle at my aunt’s house — our base for the weekend. A short LIRR train ride would take us straight to Bethpage each day.

Thursday: Practice Round

Thursday was mellow — the calm before the storm. We arrived early, snapped photos at the gates, and watched several Europeans warming up on the range.

We hit the Michelob Ultra tent for their closest-to-pin challenge on Bethpage’s par-3 8th (luckily from the front tees). I needed to hit it inside 15 feet to win merch; I managed 19. The only prize we left with was the beer we paid for — swing oil secured.

The grandstand on 1 was incredible — you could see both the opening tee shot and 18th green, creating a true stadium vibe. We walked the front nine in a steady drizzle, clocking close to ten miles for the day. Team Europe was out playing, while Team USA rested. A bit of a bummer, but we’d see them Friday.

We wrapped with a stop at the massive merch tent, easily the biggest I’ve ever seen. Overwhelming choices, overpriced everything. Naturally, I bought too much.

The umbrellas were out for Team Europe on Thursday

Friday: Opening Matches

Friday morning, Bethpage was electric. The first tee felt more like a college football game than a golf tournament — dueling “U-S-A!” and “Olé!” chants echoing through the grandstands.

The atmosphere reached a peak as the national anthem played and fighter jets flew overhead. Absolute chills.

Europe came out strong again, but the afternoon session brought some momentum for Team USA. The highlight of the day came at the 15th hole: we found a spot in the landing area as Justin Thomas and Bryson DeChambeau played.

A cart suddenly pulled up in front of us — it was none other than Michael Jordan. As everyone snapped pictures, Bryson’s drive sliced straight into the gallery… right near us. JT followed with an approach so pure you could hear the strike echo. Watching these guys up close, you realize — they’re not all big, but the power they create is unreal.

Unfortunately, they three-putted and lost the hole — a theme that haunted Team USA through Friday and Saturday.

Justin Thomas hits an amazing shot out of the crowd on the 15th at Bethpage

Weekend Wrap-Up

I flew back to Atlanta on Saturday and watched from the Delta Lounge at LGA as the U.S. continued to give away points. By day’s end, Europe held a massive seven-point lead, needing just 2.5 on Sunday to retain the Cup.

That night’s college football lineup (Bama vs. Georgia, Penn State vs. Oregon) didn’t help the mood — my wife’s Tide rolled, my Nittany Lions folded. Rough sports weekend incoming.

Sunday morning, the news broke: Viktor Hovland was hurt, invoking the dreaded “envelope rule,” handing Europe a free half point. I figured it’d be over quick. I was wrong.

Team USA came out swinging — Cam Young, JT, Bryson — all delivering clutch putts on 18. The scoreboard turned red, and for a moment, a comeback felt real. But Shane Lowry stormed back to clinch the final half-point on 18, and Europe retained the Cup. Russell Henley had chances on 17 and 18 but couldn’t convert.

Final Thoughts

Europe is just built differently. They play as a team, while the U.S. still feels like twelve solo acts sharing a uniform. Luke Donald deserves serious credit — his captaincy and pairings were flawless. The Americans will need to regroup before Ireland in 2027.

The course setup was too soft. Bethpage played easy for these guys — too many birdies, not enough punishment.

And the fans? As a Red Sox fan who’s survived Yankee Stadium, I expected chaos. Honestly, it wasn’t too bad where we were — just a few idiots yelling during backswings. Even Rory handled it like a pro, sticking one to three feet after a heckle. Still, it wasn’t a great look for “the gentleman’s game.”

Despite the loss, the Ryder Cup was an unforgettable experience. Seeing it in person was everything I hoped for — passion, pressure, pride. Hopefully next time, the Cup comes back home. But even if it doesn’t, I’m just glad I got to witness it once in my lifetime.

A weekend to remember — even if the Cup stayed in Europe.