The PGA of America’s major championship has concluded, with Scottie Scheffler emerging victorious at Quail Hollow Club during the 107th PGA Championship. As two of the four major championships for the season have taken place, another significant event from the PGA of America is fast approaching this September.
The 2025 Ryder Cup has been a focal point of interest ever since it was announced that the biennial event would be held at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York. Set to be one of the most significant Ryder Cups ever in terms of stakes, infrastructure, and fan engagement, this year’s competition between the U.S. and Europe promises to be fiercely contested, given both teams’ current performances this season.
The European team, holders of the Ryder Cup after their convincing win in Rome, aims to defend the title on U.S. soil for the first time since the memorable “Miracle at Medinah” in 2012, where they overcame a 10-6 deficit in the Sunday singles to surprise the Americans.
The early season results have been promising for returning captain Luke Donald and his squad. Rory McIlroy leads the team with three PGA Tour victories, including both the Masters and The Players Championship. Sepp Straka has also added wins to his resume, while other players like Thomas Detry, Ludvig Åberg, Viktor Hovland, and Tyrrell Hatton have achieved wins on either the PGA Tour or DP World Tour this season. Consistent performers like Jon Rahm and Justin Rose have also shown strong results in major championships, where double points are awarded.
In contrast, Team USA has had a less successful start. Scheffler secured his second title of the year and his third major championship overall by raising the Wanamaker Trophy. Although Justin Thomas and Russell Henley have ended lengthy winless periods, the American contingent has struggled with overall victories on the PGA Tour. Bryson DeChambeau has performed well within the LIV Golf circuit, however.
This raises questions: Are the Europeans peaking too early? Could the Americans falter on home soil due to a potentially weaker back half of their roster? Let’s explore both sides as we assess which players are likely to compete at Bethpage Black now that we have crossed the midpoint of the major season.
United States Standings
|
1 |
Scottie Scheffler |
21,490 |
|
2 |
Xander Schauffele |
11,746 |
|
3 |
Bryson DeChambeau |
10,318 |
|
4 |
Justin Thomas |
9,342 |
|
5 |
Collin Morikawa |
8,917 |
|
6 |
Russell Henley |
7,877 |
The top six players on the U.S. team appear to be set, though Henley could face scrutiny. As the Arnold Palmer Invitational winner, he performed admirably with the world’s number one at the Presidents Cup. Besides him, the others seem ready to wear the stars and stripes again. Patrick Cantlay’s recent form suggests he should be included as well. This leaves five remaining spots open for selection.
In contrast, the European team’s standings look more stable, bolstered by solid performances from their stars. Donald will have several slots available and alternatives from his previous roster, including Robert MacIntyre and Matt Fitzpatrick, both of whom have shown potential this year. As the season progresses, the European selections may become more pronounced.
