When Rory McIlroy triumphantly declared after Europe’s 2023 Ryder Cup victory in Rome that “one of the big accomplishments in golf right now is winning an away Ryder Cup — and that’s what we’re going to do at Bethpage”, it felt more than just champagne-fueled optimism.
History is firmly against him. The last five Ryder Cups have been won easily by the home side. Since 1979, when the modern Europe vs. USA format began, only six away wins have been recorded. The U.S. hasn’t won on European soil since 1993. Europe’s last away triumph came in 2012 at Medinah — a miracle comeback etched in golf folklore.
Yet, for the first time in a decade, there’s a genuine belief that Europe might actually pull it off again.
Bethpage Black is already infamous for rowdy crowds during majors. This time, it’s expected to be the most hostile Ryder Cup stage yet. Captain Luke Donald has even armed his players with virtual reality headsets to prepare for the verbal onslaught.
Sir Nick Faldo, an 11-time Ryder Cup veteran, believes discipline will be key:
“Have a secret word with your caddie. Smile, reset, and get back to the job. You can’t crack.”
Justin Rose echoed the importance of resilience, drawing on Europe’s miraculous Medinah win: “The crowd went quiet when we flipped the script — and that has to be the goal.”
Donald has built his team around continuity. Only one change has been made from Rome: Rasmus Hojgaard replaces his twin Nicolai. For context, Europe has never gone into an away Ryder Cup with fewer changes in history.
Donald has opted for experience over rookies, banking on proven partnerships and veterans like McIlroy, Rose, Jon Rahm, and Tommy Fleetwood. Colin Montgomerie, a Ryder Cup legend, calls it Europe’s strongest and most settled team in years.
Scottie Scheffler remains the Americans’ trump card. With two more majors in 2025, he is undisputedly the best golfer on the planet. But as Faldo bluntly put it:
“Scheffler aside, there’s nobody to fear.”
Xander Schauffele has cooled off, Justin Thomas is struggling for form, and captain Keegan Bradley is blooding four rookies — a risk that could backfire under Bethpage pressure.
From McIlroy’s inspired leadership to Rahm’s winning edge, Donald’s men have momentum, chemistry, and belief. Europe has won away once in every decade since 1987. By that measure, they’re due again.
Montgomerie summed it up best: “I don’t fear the American team the way I have in the past. Europe are stronger, all 12 of them.”
Bethpage will be brutal. The crowd will be loud. But if any European side is built to survive the bear pit and silence the roars, it’s this one.
Bring on Bethpage.
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