Ryder Cup Standings 2025: Day One Reactions and Saturday Foursomes Preview
The Ryder Cup 2025 is off to an electrifying start at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York. This historic competition between Team USA and Team Europe began on Friday, September 26, and fans around the globe are already glued to the action. After day one, Europe leads the Ryder Cup standings 5.5-2.5, putting pressure on the American team to make a strong comeback on Saturday.
In this article, we’ll break down what happened on the opening day, review the pairings for Saturday’s foursomes, and analyze the strategies both captains are using as the battle for golf’s most prestigious team trophy continues.
What is the Ryder Cup?
The Ryder Cup is one of golf’s biggest events, held every two years. It features:
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Team USA vs. Team Europe
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Match-play format (foursomes and four-ball on the first two days, followed by singles on Sunday)
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The event rotates between U.S. and European venues
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A unique mix of passion, rivalry, and national pride
For 2025, the venue is the challenging Bethpage Black Course, known for its length, difficulty, and passionate New York crowds.
Ryder Cup Standings After Day One
At the end of Friday’s sessions, Europe secured a solid 5.5-2.5 advantage in the Ryder Cup standings. Here’s how it unfolded:
Morning Foursomes (Europe 3 – USA 1)
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Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay got the only American point.
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Europe dominated the rest, showing strong chemistry and control.
Afternoon Four-Ball (Europe 2.5 – USA 1.5)
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Cameron Young/Justin Thomas gave USA a spark with a win.
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Sepp Straka/Jon Rahm defeated Scottie Scheffler/J.J. Spaun to regain momentum.
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Tommy Fleetwood/Justin Rose added another point for Europe.
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Rory McIlroy/Shane Lowry vs. Patrick Cantlay/Sam Burns ended in a tie.
Day One Result: Europe 5.5, USA 2.5
This early lead puts Team Europe in a strong position, but the Ryder Cup is unpredictable, and comebacks are always possible.
Saturday Foursomes: Day Two Pairings
Saturday, September 27, begins with four crucial foursome matches. Here are the announced pairings:
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Bryson DeChambeau/Cameron Young (USA) vs. Matt Fitzpatrick/Ludvig Åberg (Europe)
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Harris English/Collin Morikawa (USA) vs. Rory McIlroy/Tommy Fleetwood (Europe)
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Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay (USA) vs. Jon Rahm/Tyrrell Hatton (Europe)
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Russell Henley/Scottie Scheffler (USA) vs. Robert MacIntyre/Viktor Hovland (Europe)
These matches are key to shifting the Ryder Cup standings before the Saturday afternoon four-ball round.
Pressure on Team USA and Captain Keegan Bradley
Keegan Bradley, captain of Team USA, faces questions after a tough first day. His strategy of sticking with struggling pairings has drawn criticism.
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Harris English and Collin Morikawa, ranked 132nd in compatibility by respected analytics site Data Golf, lost badly to McIlroy and Fleetwood on Friday. Bradley, however, is giving them another chance against the same European duo.
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Russell Henley and Scottie Scheffler also lost their opening match but remain paired.
Bradley defended his decisions, saying:
“We’re really comfortable with our plan. We’re not going to panic. These guys are eager to get back out there.”
Still, with Europe leading the Ryder Cup standings 5.5-2.5, Bradley’s choices will be under a microscope.
Europe’s Strategy Under Captain Luke Donald
On the other side, Captain Luke Donald has kept things simple. He is sticking with the same winning pairings that delivered a 3-1 session win on Friday morning.
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Åberg and Fitzpatrick will now lead off against DeChambeau and Young.
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McIlroy and Fleetwood remain together, aiming to repeat their dominant win.
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Rahm and Hatton stay paired for another high-energy matchup.
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MacIntyre and Hovland will test Henley and Scheffler again.
This stability shows confidence in the European plan and could help them extend their lead in the Ryder Cup standings.
Key Players to Watch
For Team USA:
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Scottie Scheffler – The world’s top-ranked golfer must deliver under pressure.
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Patrick Cantlay/Xander Schauffele – This reliable duo will be vital for any U.S. comeback.
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Justin Thomas – Brings energy and Ryder Cup experience despite recent struggles.
For Team Europe:
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Rory McIlroy – Europe’s leader and emotional spark.
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Jon Rahm – Known for clutch performances on big stages.
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Ludvig Åberg – The rookie showing maturity beyond his years.
What Needs to Change for USA
If the United States wants to close the gap in the Ryder Cup standings, they must:
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Improve putting on Bethpage’s fast greens
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Build early momentum in the morning foursomes
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Avoid repeating unsuccessful pairings
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Stay calm under the pressure of a passionate New York crowd
Ryder Cup 2025: How to Watch
Fans worldwide can follow every shot through TV broadcasts and online streaming.
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TV Channels: NBC, Golf Channel (U.S.), Sky Sports (U.K. & Europe)
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Streaming: Peacock, NBC Sports app, Ryder Cup official website
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Live Leaderboard: Updated in real-time on RyderCup.com and major sports apps
Why the Ryder Cup Matters
The Ryder Cup is not just about golf—it’s about pride, teamwork, and history. Every point changes the Ryder Cup standings and shifts the pressure from one side to the other.
For the U.S., it’s a chance to defend home turf. For Europe, it’s about proving their dominance once again.
Final Thoughts
The Ryder Cup standings after Day One clearly favor Europe at 5.5-2.5, but history shows that momentum can swing quickly. With Saturday’s foursomes and four-balls ahead, Team USA must fight back to keep their hopes alive.
Golf fans can expect drama, passion, and unforgettable moments as the Ryder Cup 2025 continues at Bethpage Black. Whether you’re cheering for Team USA or Team Europe, the next two days promise edge-of-your-seat action.
References
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