The 2025 Ryder Cup will be contested at Bethpage Black Golf Course. Photo courtesy of PGA of America.
JAMIE HEALY | STAFF REPORTER | jdhealy1@butler.edu
Overtime, or “OT,” is an opinion column series where the Collegian takes national sports headlines or polarizing topics and gives them a Butler-centric angle.
It is officially time for the Ryder Cup. This biennial golf competition pits 24 male golfers hailing from Europe and the United States against each other in a team competition from Sept. 26-28.
The competition is vastly different from almost any other event in golf as it incorporates various facets of match-play: fourball (best-ball), foursomes (alternate shot) and 12 singles matches to round out the event.
The team aspect of the competition forces players to adjust their game not only to the demands of the course, but also to the needs of their teammates playing beside them.
However, the match-play aspect also lets players be more aggressive and give their side a competitive advantage.
For example, in the 2021 Ryder Cup, Bryson Dechambeau — a player well known across the golf world for his strength and power off the tee — was able to take advantage of the match-play format. In his Sunday singles match against Spain’s Sergio Garcia, DeChambeau drove the ball onto the 350-yard first hole and proceeded to sink the ensuing putt to go one up in his match, setting the tone for his 3-2 victory.
As an avid DeChambeau fan, junior P1 pharmacy major Andrew Dial is looking forward to watching DeChambeau compete once again in this event and believes he will use the spectacle of the Ryder Cup to his advantage.
“I think at the end of the day, he’s both a golfer and an entertainer,” Dial said. “Why not give the fans something to enjoy and see how far you can hit it?”
DeChambeau is far from the only player who feeds off the team event and environment created by the fans.
Rory McIlroy is a European phenom and a winner of five major championships, including the Masters this past April, securing the career Grand Slam. A fixture at the last six Ryder Cups, McIlroy is aiming to be a thorn in the side of the Americans again.
McIlroy believes that winning a Ryder Cup on the road is hard, saying, “There’s a reason why every Ryder Cup for the last 10 years has went to the home team.” The difficulties for the traveling team include the course being set up in a way to help the home squad, in addition to the hosts getting the positive atmosphere from the rabid crowds.
The partisan atmosphere of the crowd truly sets this competition apart from every other event in golf and adds another layer of intrigue to the sport.
Sophomore economics major Isabella DiVernieri believes that the country versus continent event helps to bring fans together who are all rooting for the same team and outcome.
“I think the second you bring in countries going against each other, you bring in people and their patriotism,” DiVernieri said. “It helps to unite people for sure.”
As this event alternates between the United States and Europe every time it is contested, the sense of anticipation builds as the home Ryder Cup draws closer. With the tournament being held at Bethpage Black in New York this year, the Americans look to get back on track following a pitiful 16.5-11.5 defeat in Rome two years ago.
While the Americans have had success at home, Ryder Cup rookies Ben Griffin, J.J. Spaun, Cameron Young and Russell Henley will need to step up their games if the U.S. wants to reclaim the cup.
Sophomore biochemistry major Nate Elliott contends that the boisterous American crowd will help guide the rookies and allow them to feel comfortable throughout the competition.
“[Fans] switch from having a favorite player that [they] root for to the whole team altogether,” Elliott said. “I’ll definitely be rooting for all of them.”
Another major storyline heading into this year’s tournament is the divide between the Europeans and Americans on compensation.
Prior to this year, the PGA of America had given the U.S. players $200,000 to donate to a charity of their choice for making the team. Now this year, the American team will receive $500,000 each — with $300,000 being earmarked for charity.
Meanwhile, European team captain Luke Donald discussed the issue and remarked how ‘proud’ he was of his team for wholeheartedly rejecting any offers of compensation.
This hot topic of debate has added another dimension to the 45th edition of this tournament.
The grandeur and spectacle of this competition, in conjunction with the burning competitive desire to win, has led to unforgettable moments such as the “War by the Shore” in 1991, the Battle of Brookline in 1999 and the infamous “Hatgate” scandal on Saturday of the 2023 Ryder Cup. Throughout the history of the competition, these occasions have stoked tensions between the usually amicable players and teams.
The passion of the fans, the different strategies needed to succeed, and the team aspect of the competition allow this event to be “must-see-TV” for golf fans and lovers of team sports alike.
The three-day event will display the sport at its peak: 24 of the sport’s best all competing for themselves and their team with the goal of bragging rights and national pride at stake.
