Ryder Cup Rearview Mirror 2025

We're just coming up on a week since the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage.  I was enthralled in the event from the beginning, and I'm still processing so many thoughts and observations.  So here are my "Random Thoughts Ryder Cup".

1. Keegan Bradley was a good captain.  There was a lot said by a lot of people, and frankly, some if it was hard to read.  But he cared.  I mean he REALLY cared.  He wanted this win so badly, and not just for him, but for his team, for golf, for our country.  He put together a great team - statistically, we were favored.  He was prepared, he inspired, and his team was behind him all the way.

2. Luke Donald was an amazing captain.  I've been a Luke Donald fan for a long time, and I really appreciated the insight about his role of captain and how he strategically used the best strengths of each of his team members.  He used experience to his advantage.

3. What did Sunday Singles tell us?  I was texting with a favorite friend to talk golf with and we wondered, what if the Ryder Cup had been 3 days of singles matches?  Is the USA better at being individuals on a team rather than being teammates that rely on another person?  Sunday had me at the edge of the couch cushion for several hours, and there was more than one time when I thought USA might actually pull off the miracle.  I couldn't have been the only person wondering why we didn't have much of any Sunday magic on the first 2 days.

4.  Thank you, Justin Thomas.  A lot was said if JT was a right pick, but no one will convince me he was a bad choice.  His 2-2-0 record wasn't the best, but his Sunday win, and his big win with Young on Friday was what Team USA needed at the beginning and the end.

5. Speaking of Cameron Young...  To be honest, I didn't know a lot about Cameron. I heard over and over he was an amazing putter, but his 3-1-0 record says he's got the whole package.  His story was perfect for Team USA playing in his "hometown" and he didn't disappoint.  IF I had to guess, I think every player, if they got to pick their playing partner would have picked Young.  The question I'm wondering is, who would he pick?

6. The "fans".  This has gotten under my skin for the past week.  Can we be real for a minute?  Events like the Ryder Cup have become a corporate getaway and more and more "fans" are just there for hospitality and not the golf.  This does not excuse the actions of so many that were disrespectful,  It was embarrassing.  As a very wise educator friend says, "You get more of what you tolerate".   So let's not tolerate it.  And while we're at it, let's make it easier for the real golf fans to be there - I promise you, they will be respectful!!

7.  Bryson.  I was actually surprised to read that DeChambeau had a 1-3-1 record.  First, I didn't realize he played all 5 matches.  I do recall some of his struggles, and he was also paired with players who were struggling.  Not surprisingly, he played awesome with Cam Young which netted him is only winning point.  He was passionate player who built up the rest of the team.  He played his heart out and left his emotions all over Bethpage.  I loved rooting for him.

8.  My favorite Europeans.  I have been on the Tommy Fleetwood fan bus for quite awhile now.  Watching him win the tour championship after so many close chances to win on the PGA Tour brought tears to my eyes.  I rooted for team USA, but think Fleetwood's 4-1-0 deserved a standing ovation in my living room on Sunday.  I'm also a huge Justin Rose fan and it was marvelous to see this 45-year old play (and putt) so well in the fourball matches.  McIlroy is someone I enjoy rooting for, and it was awful what he had to endure with specific spectators who were relentless.  The fact that he played so well, and brought out the best in being a playing partner made this victory extra sweet for him.

9.  Where was #1?  This one is a little hard to write.  Going into the Ryder Cup week I think all American fans couldn't help but smile knowing we had Scottie Scheffler on our team.  The #1 player in the world, a season with so much success, I think we might of  taken for granted the talent (and points) we expected to see.  I didn't read any follow up's from Scheffler following the loss, but I've got to think it weighed on him.  I think this is why there is both magic and strategy that make team play and the Ryder Cup so special and so beloved.  I love Scottie for so many reasons, and while I would have loved for him to be the one marching us to victory, sometimes the best players of the week, win.
  
10.  Is there a secret sauce?  Another conversation my friend and I had was, did the Europeans just want it a little more this week and had they concocted a secret motivation that elevated them up  even being in the USA?  We saw all the clips of Rory saying winning a Ryder Cup on "away" soil would be a career achievement.  We saw the emotions all week...they walked in tallied at 3-1 lead and appeared to be putting the bow on without much effort on Sunday.  The American tear on Friday gave us all hope, but watching the emotions Lawry had when he secured the win said a lot with no words.

As someone who was lucky enough to be at Hazeltine in 2016 and can't WAIT for Hazeltine 2029, the Ryder Cup will always have a special space in my heart - I love team play, I love being a part of rooting along side thousands of fellow fans of golf, and I love how golf can bring people together.

Thank you Keegan & Team USA, thank you Luke & Team Europe, and thank you to all those that love golf.