Let's be honest about New York sports fans. They don't just watch; they participate through sheer volume and a level of intensity that borderline terrifies visitors. When the Bethpage Black Ryder Cup took place in September 2025, everyone expected a localized earthquake. What they got was even louder.
If you weren't on Long Island between September 26 and 28, it’s hard to describe the vibe. Basically, imagine a football stadium’s energy compressed into a public park where the rough is thick enough to hide a small child. The European team walked into a buzzsaw of "L-I-G" chants and a course that A.W. Tillinghast designed specifically to break spirits. People kept calling it the "People's Country Club," but for three days, it felt more like a gladiator pit.
The Keegan Bradley Experiment at Bethpage Black
Remember when the PGA of America bypassed the usual suspects and handed the keys to Keegan Bradley? People lost their minds. He was the youngest captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963. Skeptics said he was too close to the players, too "vibes-based," and maybe a little too twitchy for the high-stakes chess match of the Bethpage Black Ryder Cup.
He didn't care.
Keegan leaned into the chaos. He chose Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker as his first lieutenants, then added Kevin Kisner, Jim Furyk, and Gary Woodland. It was a "no-nonsense" room. He even left a note in Bryson DeChambeau’s locker at The Open months before, basically telling him to get ready. That’s the kind of stuff you can't fake. Bradley knew the New York crowd would be his 13th man, and he spent his entire captaincy fueling that fire.
Why the Captain's Picks Mattered
Kinda surprisingly, the automatic qualifiers weren't the ones who carried the weight. Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele were there, sure. But Bradley’s picks—Justin Thomas, Sam Burns, and especially the New York native Cameron Young—were the real story. Young had actually won the New York State Open at Bethpage Black as an amateur back in 2017. He knew every blade of grass.
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Luke Donald, on the other hand, played the "steady hand" role. He brought back the core of his winning 2023 team from Rome. Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, and Jon Rahm were all there. He even picked Ludvig Åberg and Shane Lowry to anchor the middle. It was a classic clash of styles: New York grit versus European tactical precision.
What Actually Happened on the Black Course
The scoring was tight. Like, "don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-it" tight. Europe actually jumped out to a massive lead early. After the first four sessions, they held a seven-point lead, which is basically unheard of on away soil. The European side was the first team since 1979 to amass 11.5 points before Sunday singles even started.
But then Sunday happened.
The singles matches at the Bethpage Black Ryder Cup were some of the most lopsided in favor of the U.S. that we've seen in years. The American side earned 8.5 points in singles alone. It was a furious, desperate comeback that nearly pulled off the impossible. Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy—the world number one and two—faced off in a singles match that people are still talking about in the local pubs.
Ultimately, Europe held on to win 15-13. It was their first win on American soil since the "Miracle at Medinah" in 2012. Luke Donald became only the second European captain ever to win back-to-back cups, joining the legend Tony Jacklin.
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- The Final Score: Europe 15, USA 13.
- The Standout: Tyrrell Hatton went 3-0-1. He didn't lose a single match.
- The Heartbreak: Scottie Scheffler became the first American ever to lose a match in each of the first four sessions.
The Logistics of a Public Park Takeover
You've gotta appreciate the sheer madness of hosting an event this big at a public state park. Bethpage State Park isn't some gated community in Florida. It's a place where regular people sleep in their cars to get a tee time.
The PGA of America introduced the "Ryder Cup+" ticket, which basically turned the whole thing into an all-inclusive experience. For about $750 a day, you got your entry and all your food and non-alcoholic drinks included. It sounds steep, but when you consider a burger and a soda at a major usually costs as much as a new driver, it wasn't the worst deal.
The security was tight. No cameras were allowed from Friday to Sunday. If you wanted a photo, you had to take it during the practice rounds earlier in the week. And if you left the grounds? Forget about it. There was a strict "no re-entry" policy. You were either in the Black Course pressure cooker or you were out.
The Course Itself: A Mental Grind
Bethpage Black is famous for that sign at the first tee: "The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers."
That’s not a suggestion. It’s a warning.
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The par-70 layout was brutal. The rough was grown out so thick that if your ball missed the fairway by three yards, you were basically hacking it out with a wedge. It neutralized some of the long hitters. Success at the Bethpage Black Ryder Cup came down to whoever could keep their ball on the short grass and survive the greens.
Moving Forward: What’s Next?
If you missed out on the Bethpage experience, the road doesn't end here. The golf world is already shifting its eyes across the Atlantic.
The next time these two sides meet will be in 2027 at Adare Manor in Ireland. If you think the New York crowd was loud, wait until you see the Irish fans on their home turf. Tickets are already being discussed, and the registration for interest is live. After that, we head back to the States in 2029 at Hazeltine National in Minnesota.
To prep for the next cycle, keep an eye on the following:
- Watch the qualifying points: The race for the 2027 team starts sooner than you think.
- Check travel packages: Organizations like On Location are already setting up "experience" bundles for Ireland.
- Study the captains: Will Luke Donald go for a hat trick? Or will Europe look for fresh blood?
The Bethpage Black Ryder Cup reminded everyone why this event is the best thing in golf. It’s not about the money—there isn't any prize money. It’s about the fact that a guy like Keegan Bradley can lose his mind on a Saturday afternoon because his buddy made a 20-foot putt. It's pure. It's loud. And it's exactly what the sport needs.
If you’re planning on attending the 2027 event, start looking at flights to Shannon Airport now. Adare Manor is a very different beast than Bethpage, but the stakes will be exactly the same.