Ryder Cup Drama at Bethpage Black Raises Concerns

Bethpage State Park, September 22, 2025

News Summary

As the 2025 Ryder Cup approaches, excitement intertwines with criticism regarding its location at Bethpage Black. Former U.S. captain Paul Azinger doubts the course’s suitability, citing challenges for players. Despite its history of major tournaments, familiarity among the current U.S. team is questioned, potentially impacting performance. With an expected crowd of 45,000 and unique streaming options, the event is set to ignite passionate debates among fans and players alike, raising stakes for both teams.

New York City — Ryder Cup Drama Headed to Bethpage Black

Big Stage, Bigger Questions

The golf world is gearing up for a huge showdown when the 2025 Ryder Cup rolls into the New York area, but not everyone is thrilled with the location. The 2025 Ryder Cup is set to take place at Bethpage State Park’s Black Course, just outside New York City, and a former U.S. Ryder Cup captain has publicly raised doubts about whether that course is the right fit for a tense, high-stakes team event.

Why some think Bethpage Black is a mismatch

The Ryder Cup is a historic golf competition between teams from the United States and Europe, and the venue choice is always part of the chess match long before the first match is played. Paul Azinger, former U.S. Ryder Cup captain, hosted a podcast appearance where he criticized Bethpage Black as the venue. He made it clear he couldn’t stand Bethpage Black and said the place is not suitable for the Ryder Cup in his view.

Azinger dug into the on-course reasons: he described awkward angles, downhill tee shots, and summed up the experience by saying it is just hard to play. He also said U.S. players don’t love and don’t know the course well, a worry he tied to team performance and the need to win over a potentially hostile home crowd.

Experience versus familiarity

While Bethpage has hosted major championships — including the U.S. Open in 2002 and 2009, and the PGA Championship in 2019 — Azinger stressed that past majors don’t necessarily translate to Ryder Cup readiness. He pointed out that although some U.S. players have played significant tournaments at Bethpage, familiarity with the course is lacking among the current squad.

On the flip side, U.S. captain Keegan Bradley, who played regularly as a member of the St. John’s golf team, brings personal experience tied to the area. Cameron Young, a Westchester native and winner of the 2017 New York State Open at Bethpage, also knows the track. Azinger acknowledged those names but still questioned whether the current U.S. team holds a real advantage.

Selection, crowd control and the stakes

Azinger criticized the decision-making of the PGA of America regarding course selection for the Ryder Cup and warned of possible crowd pressure. He noted that if the U.S. team does poorly, the New York crowd might react negatively to the home team — and he stressed that winning the crowd is crucial for the U.S. team’s success. Historically, Azinger reminded listeners, U.S. teams face challenges in away Ryder Cups due to lack of familiarity with the venues, making course knowledge a strategic edge.

Logistics and viewing

The first matches of the Ryder Cup will begin on September 26, 2025. Event organizers and fans are expecting big numbers: around 45,000 fans expected each day. For viewers at home, streaming options for the Ryder Cup include RyderCup.com, the Ryder Cup app, and Peacock.

What this means for golf fans

Expect heated debates, passionate galleries, and strategy talks about how course setup and local knowledge could tilt the balance. Whether Bethpage Black becomes a fortress for the U.S. or a battleground where familiarity matters more than home advantage will be part of the storyline as September 2025 approaches.

Quick takeaways

• The 2025 Ryder Cup is set to take place at Bethpage State Park’s Black Course, just outside New York City.
• Paul Azinger, former U.S. Ryder Cup captain, hosted a podcast appearance where he criticized Bethpage Black as the venue.
• Azinger could not stand Bethpage Black and said the place is not suitable for the Ryder Cup.
• He said the U.S. players don’t love and don’t know the course well.
• Azinger missed the cut during the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage, giving him personal experience on the track.
• The course hosted the U.S. Open in 2002 and 2009, and the PGA Championship in 2019.
• U.S. captain Keegan Bradley played regularly as a member of the St. John’s golf team, and Cameron Young is a Westchester native and winner of the 2017 New York State Open at Bethpage.
• The first matches will begin on September 26, 2025, with around 45,000 fans expected each day.
• Streaming options include RyderCup.com, the Ryder Cup app, and Peacock.

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At-a-Glance Table

Keep an eye on course talk and team picks as the build-up intensifies. Bethpage Black has history and grit — whether it ends up being a friendly fortress or a pressure cooker for the home side is the narrative golf fans will be watching closely.

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Additional Resources

• Golf.com: Bethpage US Captain Blasts Ryder Cup Course
• Sky Sports: Ryder Cup 2025 – The Closest Contest in a Generation
• New York Post: Paul Azinger Trashes Bethpage Black
• Ryder Cup: Xander Schauffele Bringing New Life Perspective to Bethpage Black
• CBS Sports: Ryder Cup 2025 Schedule, Dates, Format Explained
• Wikipedia: 2025 Ryder Cup
• Google Search: Ryder Cup 2025
• Google Scholar: Ryder Cup
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Ryder Cup
• Google News: Ryder Cup 2025

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