The stage is set for one of golf’s most electrifying events as the 2025 Ryder Cup heads to Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, from 23-28 September.
This year’s contest carries extra weight for both teams. Europe arrive as defending champions after their emphatic 16½-11½ victory at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, but they haven’t tasted success on American soil since their unforgettable comeback at Medinah in 2012.
Captain Luke Donald remains at the helm for Team Europe, hoping to build on the momentum of 2023. Meanwhile, the US have turned to Keegan Bradley in a surprise appointment as they look to restore pride and reclaim the cup on home turf.
With star-studded lineups on both sides and the notoriously tough Bethpage Black setting the scene, this year’s showdown promises drama, passion and world-class golf.
Here’s a look at the key players likely to shape the outcome—and potentially influence your opinion of who will be crowned the outright champion if you have free bets no deposit for the Ryder Cup.
Europe: Rory McIlroy
The first European to book his place at Bethpage, Rory McIlroy will be representing the continent for the eighth consecutive time after sealing his spot on Donald’s team with months to spare.
The Northern Irishman has long been one of the most reliable members of Team Europe, helping them win the Ryder Cup on five occasions from seven appearances.
McIlroy was also his side’s leading points scorer in Italy, sealing four points, and has picked up 18 points in total across his Ryder Cup career.
As a veteran of this competition, and a consistent performer for Team Europe on both sides of the Atlantic, McIlroy will be a popular choice to be a top point scorer again for anyone with free bets.
Europe: Tommy Fleetwood
While Tommy Fleetwood is still chasing his first PGA Tour win, with his recent collapse in the Travelers a bitter pill, the Englishman has cemented his reputation as a Ryder Cup specialist.
A fan favourite and a steady presence in the European ranks, Fleetwood was one of the standout performers in Rome, contributing three crucial points—including a decisive singles win that sealed Europe’s victory.
This will be his fourth Ryder Cup appearance, and as he’s proven to be a reliable asset under pressure, Donald will be counting on Fleetwood to shine once again at Bethpage.
US: Scottie Scheffler
Like McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler is the only person who has mathematically qualified for his respective team at the time of writing.
The World No.1 has been a dominant force in the sport for the last couple of years, and he’s been equally as prominent in 2025—most notably winning his third major title at the PGA Championship.
This will be Scheffler’s third-straight Ryder Cup outings, and while he picked up 2.5 points from three matches as a rookie in 2021—including beating Jon Rahm in the singles—he may feel he has a point to prove after last time.
Scheffler picked up just one point from four matches and was left in tears after suffering a record-breaking 9&7 defeat alongside Brooks Koepka against Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg.
US: J.J. Spaun
While you may have expected to see someone like Xander Schauffele crop up here, journeyman J.J. Spaun has enjoyed a breakout year on the PGA Tour—emerging as one of the most improved and dangerous players in the American ranks.
After pushing the aforementioned McIlroy to a playoff at The Players, he went one better at the US Open, holding his nerve to claim a maiden major title in dramatic fashion and thrust himself firmly into Ryder Cup contention.
After nearly losing his place on the PGA Tour last year, Spaun has had a miracle season so far—climbing up to a career-high ranking of eighth after starting 2025 outside the top 100 and sixth in the FedEx Cup standings at the time of writing.
He’s the type of player who will seize this opportunity with both hands, and Bradley has already stated that he could be the team’s ‘heartbeat’ in September.
“I think he’s a guy that people at Bethpage will really resonate with and a guy that on our team is the heartbeat,” the US Captain said.
“He’s now the US Open champion. That’s a heavy burden to bear, but that’s also a great thing to have on your team.”
