Ryder Cup Drama Unfolds at Bethpage Black

Bethpage, New York, September 25, 2025

News Summary

As the 45th Ryder Cup begins at Bethpage Black, the excitement is palpable. The competition features three days of play, focusing on the Foursomes format that requires strategic golf ball compatibility. With U.S. Team Captain Keegan Bradley expressing sleepless nights over pairing concerns, and players like Shane Lowry emphasizing the importance of comfort with their golf balls, every detail could sway the competition. The event expects spirited crowds and dramatic moments while historic patterns suggest success in Foursomes correlates with overall victory.

Farmingdale, New York — Ryder Cup Drama Kicks Off at Bethpage Black

Hold onto your visors. The atmosphere at Bethpage Black is electric as the 45th Ryder Cup gets underway, and every little detail feels like it could swing a session — especially the tiny white ball. This isn’t just about who can smash it longest; it’s about teamwork, chemistry, and something that sounds trivial until you’re alternating shots with your partner: golf ball compatibility.

Three days, five sessions, one ball to rule them all

The 45th Ryder Cup opens at Bethpage Black Golf Course with three days of competition featuring five sessions: two Foursomes, two Four-ball, and Sunday Singles. The session that has fans, captains and pairings whispering in corners is the Foursomes format.

Foursomes format requires players to alternate shots with one golf ball in play, making ball selection critical for team strategy. That one-line reality has turned equipment choices into tactical chess moves, because a mismatch in ball behavior can ruin even the best-looking pairing on paper.

U.S. Team Captain Keegan Bradley expressed concerns about golf ball compatibility for player pairings, indicating it has kept him up at night. Across the pond, European Vice-Captain Edoardo Molinari mentioned the significance of selecting the right golf balls for Foursomes, highlighting that player pairings might look good on paper but may not work if their balls differ significantly.

Players feel it, captains plan it

Players have been vocal about how much the ball under their clubface matters. Players like Shane Lowry remarked on the importance of comfort with the golf ball, stating it can greatly influence performance in Foursomes. At Bethpage, equipment quirks are on full display: Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood are the only two Europeans using unique golf balls, while five Americans play golf balls not shared by teammates.

Notable Americans with unique golf balls include J.J. Spaun (Srixon Z-Star Diamond), Xander Schauffele (Callaway Chrome Tour), and Collin Morikawa (TaylorMade TP5x). Those aren’t just brand names — they carry different spin profiles and launch traits that can make a huge difference when partners alternate shots.

Differences in golf ball spin rates and launches can impact off-the-tee performance, approach play, and short game tactics. That’s why you’ll hear stories from players who’ve felt the friction. Russell Henley shared challenges faced with inconsistent spin rates when paired with players using different golf balls.

There are also success stories tied to ball choice. Robert MacIntyre recently switched to a Titleist Pro V1, which contributed to his success on the TOUR post-Ryder Cup. Captains are well aware of the stakes: Players at Bethpage can choose from four types of golf balls, facilitating strategic pairings by their captains.

Why Foursomes matter — and the crowd will too

The winning side in Foursomes has historically come out on top in recent Ryder Cups. That stat alone raises the pressure on pairings and gear decisions. Fans are already primed for noise and edge-of-your-seat moments: U.S. fans express anticipation for the competition, while European players are aiming to remain focused amid potential hostile crowds.

The human side of the crowd drama is also present. Matt Fitzpatrick’s parents choose not to attend due to negative past experiences with American crowds, opting instead to support him at a future event. Still, the vibe in practice has largely stayed positive: The atmosphere during practice rounds has been mostly positive, with reports of respectful fan behavior ahead of the official matches.

Show time arrived with pomp: Ryder Cup Opening Ceremony featured presentations that celebrated New York City and an ode to the competition, including fanfare and speeches from team captains. The host side seems ready to roar: The American team, with deep connections to New York, is expected to receive significant crowd support as they aim to defend their home turf against the Europeans.

Odds and strategy mix into the drama. Betting odds suggest the U.S. is favored to win, with a mix of established stars and newcomers on both teams contributing to an unpredictable outcome. That unpredictability is part of what makes match-day pairings and equipment choices so fascinating: Key match-up strategies consider performance history and golf ball compatibility in determining session pairings for both teams. And with players like Scottie Scheffler (U.S.) and Rory McIlroy (Europe) looming large, anticipated performances from top players could tip the balance: Anticipated performances from top players like Scottie Scheffler (U.S.) and Rory McIlroy (Europe) are believed to be pivotal for their respective teams.

Bottom line

At Bethpage, the tiniest details — a fraction of spin, a touch more carry, a player’s comfort with a ball — might decide who walks away with the trophy. Keep your eyes on the pairings, and listen for chatter about balls. In Foursomes, the wrong ball can make a tidy-looking pairing fall apart, and the right one can be the quiet hero of a big point.

FAQ

{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “FAQPage”,
“mainEntity”: [
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is the schedule and format for the event?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The 45th Ryder Cup opens at Bethpage Black Golf Course with three days of competition featuring five sessions: two Foursomes, two Four-ball, and Sunday Singles.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Why is the Foursomes format such a big deal?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Foursomes format requires players to alternate shots with one golf ball in play, making ball selection critical for team strategy.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Are the captains worried about ball compatibility?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “U.S. Team Captain Keegan Bradley expressed concerns about golf ball compatibility for player pairings, indicating it has kept him up at night.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Did European leadership comment on ball selection?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “European Vice-Captain Edoardo Molinari mentioned the significance of selecting the right golf balls for Foursomes, highlighting that player pairings might look good on paper but may not work if their balls differ significantly.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Do players think the ball matters?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Players like Shane Lowry remarked on the importance of comfort with the golf ball, stating it can greatly influence performance in Foursomes.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How common are unique ball choices on teams?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood are the only two Europeans using unique golf balls, while five Americans play golf balls not shared by teammates.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Which Americans use unique golf balls?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Notable Americans with unique golf balls include J.J. Spaun (Srixon Z-Star Diamond), Xander Schauffele (Callaway Chrome Tour), and Collin Morikawa (TaylorMade TP5x).”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How do ball differences affect play?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Differences in golf ball spin rates and launches can impact off-the-tee performance, approach play, and short game tactics.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Any players talk about issues with spin?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Russell Henley shared challenges faced with inconsistent spin rates when paired with players using different golf balls.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Any recent switches worth noting?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Robert MacIntyre recently switched to a Titleist Pro V1, which contributed to his success on the TOUR post-Ryder Cup.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How many ball choices are available at Bethpage?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Players at Bethpage can choose from four types of golf balls, facilitating strategic pairings by their captains.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Does Foursomes success matter historically?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The winning side in Foursomes has historically come out on top in recent Ryder Cups.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What’s the vibe from fans and players?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “U.S. fans express anticipation for the competition, while European players are aiming to remain focused amid potential hostile crowds.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Any off-course drama?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Matt Fitzpatrick’s parents choose not to attend due to negative past experiences with American crowds, opting instead to support him at a future event.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How were the practice rounds and opening ceremony?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The atmosphere during practice rounds has been mostly positive, with reports of respectful fan behavior ahead of the official matches.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What happened at the Opening Ceremony?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Ryder Cup Opening Ceremony featured presentations that celebrated New York City and an ode to the competition, including fanfare and speeches from team captains.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Who has the crowd advantage and what do the odds say?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The American team, with deep connections to New York, is expected to receive significant crowd support as they aim to defend their home turf against the Europeans.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What do the betting odds indicate?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Betting odds suggest the U.S. is favored to win, with a mix of established stars and newcomers on both teams contributing to an unpredictable outcome.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What factors drive pairing decisions?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Key match-up strategies consider performance history and golf ball compatibility in determining session pairings for both teams.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Which players could be pivotal?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Anticipated performances from top players like Scottie Scheffler (U.S.) and Rory McIlroy (Europe) are believed to be pivotal for their respective teams.”
}
}
]
}

Quick Reference Table

Catch the action, listen for the chatter about balls, and keep an eye on the Foursomes — that’s where tiny details turn into big headlines.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Ryder Cup Competition Heats Up at Bethpage Black
Unpredictability in Sports: The Biggest Shocks Revealed
Golfers Gather for Charity at Twin Hills Country Club
2025 Ryder Cup Starts at Bethpage Black with Team USA vs. Europe
Ian Poulter Provokes U.S. Golf Fans Ahead of Ryder Cup
Scottie Scheffler Dominates at Procore Championship
Hartford Freshman Wins Back-to-Back Rookie Awards
Longmeadow Hosts Charity Golf Tournaments for Community Causes
Bryson DeChambeau Shakes Up Ryder Cup Scene in New York
Boston Events September 2025: Weekend Guide To Things To Do

Additional Resources

• BBC Sport: Ryder Cup Drama Kicks Off at Bethpage Black
• Ryder Cup: 2025 Opening Ceremony Highlights
• Sports Illustrated: Ryder Cup Best Bets for Day 1
• New York Times: Ryder Cup Odds and Bets
• CBS Sports: Ryder Cup Predictions and Odds
• Wikipedia: Ryder Cup
• Google Search: Ryder Cup
• Google Scholar: Ryder Cup
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Ryder Cup
• Google News: Ryder Cup

Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER

BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.