Ryder Cup 2025: Predicting the line-ups at Bethpage

Only two days have passed since the conclusion of the Ryder Cup.

So what do you do next? You look two years ahead to the next one at Bethpage in Long Island of course!

Europe will carry confidence from Marco Simone to the United States, hoping to achieve something Rory McIlroy described as one of the biggest accomplishments in golf – winning an away Ryder Cup.

The fans in New York will look to make sure the USA take back the trophy, but which players will be on each 12-man team?

I’ve taken a stab at predicting the line-ups for the Ryder Cup 2025, as well as the captains.

Excuse me while I fetch my hard hat…

Europe

Captain: Luke Donald

Give Luke another go, I honestly don’t see why not. How long is the queue of worthy candidates behind him?

Jon Rahm

A two-time major champion and a super Ryder Cup player. There is no question the Spaniard will be at Bethpage.

Rory McIlroy

In the back nine of his Ryder Cup career? You’re being modest, Rory. The Northern Irishman can book his flights now.

Viktor Hovland

By the time 2025 rolls around, I expect Viktor Hovland to be a major champion, if not a multi-major champion.

Tyrrell Hatton

Tyrrell Hatton has been one of the best European players of the last five years. He can match any American’s game on his day.

Ludvig Aberg

Marco Simone will be the first of many, many Ryder Cups for Ludvig Aberg. We are at the start of something special.

Matt Fitzpatrick

The former US Open champion has a poor Ryder Cup record, but he is in a new realm of his career now, and he could be made for Bethpage.

Tommy Fleetwood

Much like the previous seven names, Tommy Fleetwood is set to be a crucial part of Europe’s attempts at a first away win since 2012.

Shane Lowry

His passion and drive for the Ryder Cup will surely take Shane Lowry over the line for qualification. If he doesn’t get an automatic spot, the captain will find it hard not to select him.

Sepp Straka

A two-time PGA Tour winner who is going from strength to strength. Sepp Straka is becoming a great player and could be an asset for Europe in years to come.

Nicolai Hojgaard

Donald chose Nicolai Hojgaard as a glimpse into the future of Team Europe and I suspect the young Dane could develop into a more solid and effective Ryder Cup player in 2025.

Adrien Dumont De Chassart

A player some of you mightn’t be familiar with, but he’s shown a great trajectory at college and on the Korn Ferry Tour. He will be on the cusp of Team Europe at worst in two years’ time.

Vincent Normann

Vincent Normann is a recent winner on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour and is set to add another Scandinavian bow to Team Europe in 2025.

Fringe players to watch…

Robert MacIntyre

Justin Rose

Rasmus Hojgaard

Gustav Frimodt (trust me)

USA

Captain: Stewart Cink

Stewart Cink was a vice-captain for the first time in Rome and, as an Open champion and a five-time Ryder Cup participant, it seems this could be a logical choice.

Scottie Scheffler

The World No.1 will definitely be on Team USA at Bethpage, probably as a multi-major winner by then too.

Patrick Cantlay

Patrick Cantlay is one of the USA’s most consistent performers on the PGA Tour. One of a number of players who are almost guaranteed a spot.

Max Homa

He was my pick to be America’s MVP in Rome. Max Homa has turned into an outstanding player who just needs some major form to solidify his place as one of the world’s best.

Xander Schauffele

Much like Cantlay, Xander Schauffele has become part of the furniture on PGA Tour leaderboards and certainly in the Team USA dressing room.

Justin Thomas

I’d be surprised if Justin Thomas’ form continued to slump in the next two years. He had a Ryder Cup to forget last week, but he certainly showed much more courage than some of his teammates in Rome.

Jordan Spieth

I honestly thought long and hard about Jordan Spieth’s place on this side. He was erratic last week and his form would have to improve to be a main player in Long Island.

Collin Morikawa

He didn’t play like the two-time major champion he is in Italy, but Collin Morikawa is an incredible golfer and I’d be stunned if he wasn’t part of this squad.

Sam Burns

Sam Burns didn’t have a Ryder Cup debut to remember, but his PGA Tour career is ascending in a great direction and he clearly has a passion for match play.

Brooks Koepka

Although his world ranking points routes are restricted, I can definitely see Brooks Koepka winning another major soon and getting himself in this team.

Will Zalatoris

It seems incredible to me that Will Zalatoris has never played in a Ryder Cup and won’t until 2025. I’d be stunned if he wasn’t at Bethpage if he was fit and healthy.

Cameron Young

Cameron Young is on the cusp of his first PGA Tour win and with strong showings in majors too, I expect him to make his Ryder Cup debut sooner rather than later.

Sahith Theegala

This would be fun. After finally earning his first PGA Tour win at the Fortinet Championship, the floodgates could open for Sahith Theegala and I would love to see him play at the Ryder Cup.

Fringe players to watch…

Dustin Johnson

Wyndham Clark

Adam Schenk

Brian Harman

Who do you think will play for Team Europe and Team USA at the Ryder Cup Bethpage 2025? Tell us on X!

Matt Chivers

Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.

Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.

Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.

Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.

Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.

What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.