With Home Advantage USA Is the 2025 Ryder Cup Favourite

by Roy Brindley, 9 September 2025

History suggests that home advantage should make the 2025 Ryder Cup a cakewalk for the USA.

Luke Donald has adopted a ‘no change’ policy for Team Europe at the 2025 Ryder Cup.

Facts:

• Ryder Cup teams have been selected.
• With home advantage, bookmakers make Team US their firm favourites.
• Europe has opted for experience while Team US fields four rookies.
• Ryder Cup action will be live and exclusive on Sky Sports.

Captains Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald have selected their teams for the 2025 Ryder Cup. Golf’s most prestigious event starts on September 26. Set to be played on the Black Course of Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York, the US Ryder Cup Team will have home advantage.

Only once during that past two decades has a hosting side failed to win the 12-a-side competition. Understandably, it is Team US. that online betting sites favour this year. Keegan Bradley’s squad is quoted on 8/11 odds.

Two years ago, Team Europe landed the bi-annual competition in Italy by a convincing 16½-12½ scoreline. Luke Donald will wear the metaphorical armband once again, and, as captain, he has elected to bring back most of his victorious 12 from Rome 2023.

On US. soil, the Americans won the 2021 event by a crushing 19 points to 9 and prevailed by a 17-11 scoreline in 2016. In the modern era, 1979 onwards, Europe has won the match 12 times, and the USA on nine occasions. 1989’s competition was tied – meaning Europe retained the Ryder Cup that year.

US Places Faith in Rookies

Only two of the past 13 Ryder Cup editions have been won by a visiting team, the last being Europe’s famous ‘Miracle at Medinah’ triumph of 2012. It is a stat that suggests 8/11 is an outstanding price about Team US In the handicap market, the hosts are priced on 9/10 odds while forfeiting 1.5 points.

Much will depend on the performance of the four rookies on the American team: JJ Spaun, Russell Henley, Ben Griffin, and Cameron Young, who are all making their Ryder Cup debuts.

Who Are the Team US Ryder Cup Members?

Automatic Qualifiers:

• Scottie Scheffler
• J.J. Spaun
• Xander Schauffele
• Russell Henley
• Harris English
• Bryson DeChambeau

Captain’s Picks:

• Justin Thomas
• Collin Morikawa
• Ben Griffin
• Patrick Cantlay
• Cameron Young
• Sam Burns

Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Sam Burns and Justin Thomas all played in Rome two years ago. Harris English and Bryson DeChambeau did not, but they were part of the US team that was successful in 2021 at Whistling Straits.

Keegan Bradley’s Vice Captains are Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, Kevin Kisner, Jim Furyk, and Gary Woodland.

Europe Relies on Tried and Tested Team

Unsurprisingly, Luke Donald has opted for continuity following Team Europe’s victory over the US at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club two years ago. Nicolai Højgaard is the only 2023 team member who is absent. His replacement is his twin brother, rookie Rasmus Højgaard.

As was the case in Rome, Thomas Bjørn, Alex Norén, Edoardo Molinari, José María Olazábal and Francesco Molinari will serve as Europe’s five vice captains.

Rory McIlroy will be making his eighth Ryder Cup appearance. Nine years his senior, Justin Rose, the 2025 FedEx St Jude Champion, will represent Team Europe for a seventh time. The average age of the European players is 32 – fractionally higher than the USA’s 31.5 years.

Who Are the Team Europe Ryder Cup Members?

Automatic Qualifiers:

• Rory McIlroy
• Robert MacIntyre
• Tommy Fleetwood
• Justin Rose
• Rasmus Hojgaard
• Tyrrell Hatton

Captain’s Picks:

• Shane Lowry
• Jon Rahm
• Sepp Straka
• Viktor Hovland
• Ludvig Aberg
• Matt Fitzpatrick

How Does the Ryder Cup Work?

The Ryder Cup consists of 28 rounds of golf: Eight foursomes, eight fourballs, and 12 singles matches. The foursome is a two-man team playing one ball per hole, with the players taking turns until the hole is completed. The players in each team alternate in taking the tee shots.

Each two-man team plays one ball in the fourball, meaning four balls are in play on each hole. The lowest score of each team counts. In singles, each match is one player from each team.

Every match is worth one point, with games ending in a draw earning each side a half-point. The first team to reach 14.5 points wins the Ryder Cup. Europe will retain its title if the matches end in a 14-14 draw.

How Can I Watch the Ryder Cup?

UK golf fans can watch the Ryder Cup 2025 exclusively on Sky Sports’ dedicated Golf channel. It will be transformed into a devoted Sky Sports Ryder Cup channel featuring extended live coverage of the Ryder Cup every day. There will be round-the-clock coverage live from 9 am on Friday, September 26.