The anticipation is palpable as the European Ryder Cup team gears up for a crucial scouting expedition to the legendary Bethpage Black course. Under the leadership of Captain Luke Donald, the squad is set to embark on this high-stakes reconnaissance mission ahead of the iconic showdown between Europe and the United States. Scheduled for September 26, 2025, the Ryder Cup promises to be a battleground of skill, strategy, and national pride.
According to reports from Golf Channel, the European team will jet out from London right after the DP World Tour’s BMW Championship, which runs from September 11-14. This two-day practice session at the famed “People’s Country Club” is not just a casual visit; it’s a tactical move designed to arm the players with firsthand experience of the course’s unique challenges. The team plans to spend the rest of the week in the United States, allowing them to adjust to the time difference and fully immerse themselves in the local conditions.
This tactic isn’t new for either side in the Ryder Cup rivalry. The Europeans engaged in similar reconnaissance in Rome during the 2023 tournament, while the Americans did their homework at Whistling Straits in 2021. Yet, while the Europeans are actively preparing, the U.S. team has yet to confirm their own scouting plans for Bethpage, even as ten of the twelve American players are set to compete in the Procore Championship starting September 11.
Rory McIlroy, a seasoned veteran gearing up for his eighth Ryder Cup, has emphasized the significance of competition leading up to the event. Speaking at the Irish Open earlier this week, McIlroy remarked, “These are two big weeks to make sure the game is sharp, but I think the only way to tell you’re as sharp as you want to be is getting yourself in contention under pressure and the business end of things on Sunday.” For McIlroy, the focus is on gaining valuable experience and honing his skills. He added, “I think it’s important to do that. It’s important to give myself a couple of chances to win. Ultimately, winning, that would be lovely, but I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary going into the Ryder Cup. But it would be great to at least feel really good about my game and looking ahead to Bethpage.”
As the countdown to the 2025 Ryder Cup continues, the stakes could not be higher for the European team, who enter the fray as defending champions yet have faced challenges on American soil, having lost three of the last four encounters. With the eyes of the golf world fixed firmly on Bethpage, the pressure is on both sides to showcase their best and claim victory in this storied competition that transcends the sport itself. The stage is set for an epic clash, and every practice round, every scouting trip, and every competitive moment will be critical in determining who will emerge victorious in this ongoing rivalry.
