Joe Champion
There are few things in golf more difficult than winning an away Ryder Cup, but Luke Donald and his 12 European raiders have a real chance of doing just that when the 45th edition of the famous matchup starts at Bethpage Black, New York, on Friday.
After a 19-9 humbling at Whistling Straits in 2021, Europe ran out dominant 16.5–11.5 winners under Donald’s captaincy in Rome 2 years ago, and the former world number one – with the blessing of his players – has remained at the helm to lead Europe into battle at Bethpage.
8 of the last 9 Ryder Cups have been won by the home team, and Donald will be under no illusions as to the task facing his team, but who better to attempt to mastermind an away win than a member of Jose Maria Olazabal’s team that pulled off the Miracle at Medinah in 2012? With that in mind, let’s break down our best 2025 Ryder Cup predictions, while you can also find out all of our golf picks.
Who will win the 2025 Ryder Cup?
The scene of the 2019 PGA Championship won by Brooks Koepka, Bethpage Black has a fearsome reputation, but the brutal New York course won’t be close to its most difficult for the Ryder Cup. While USA captain Keegan Bradley will doubtless have had a say in the set-up, his biggest advantage is arguably the presence of a partisan New York crowd that will generate a bearpit atmosphere and test the Europeans’ temperament.
From an American perspective, the build-up to the Ryder Cup was dominated by whether or not the captain would pick himself. In the end, common sense prevailed, and Bradley made the correct call to leave himself out. He also learned from Zach Johnson’s mistakes in Rome, taking a page out of Europe’s book by asking his players to play the Procore Championship a fortnight ago, with only new father Xander Schauffele and LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau absent in California.
Bradley can count on the world’s best golfer, Scottie Scheffler, in addition to 7 other members of the world’s top 11, but it’s up for debate as to whether this squad is as strong as the team that trounced Europe on home soil 4 years ago.
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2025 Ryder Cup Winner Best Bet: Team Europe to beat Team USA (+175)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
While the 2021 Ryder Cup ended heavily in favour of the Americans, Donald’s team looks stronger on paper this time. Star names Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland are all suited to the demands of a long, punishing course like Bethpage, and as well-versed in Stateside golf as their US counterparts. Tyrrell Hatton and Shane Lowry remain dogged competitors who have thrived in the Ryder Cup environment, Robert MacIntyre is better than ever, and Justin Rose brings huge experience to the team.
Perhaps most important, however, is Europe’s continuity – Donald’s squad contains 11 of the 12 who teed it up in Rome, with only Rasmus Hojgaard coming in to replace twin brother Nicolai. Donald – and vice-captain turned data-analyst Edoardo Molinari – have known their key pairings for months, whereas Bradley has had less time to prepare for all eventualities. There have been headaches for Donald to grapple with, including the personal reasons which have impacted Sepp Straka’s ability to play in the BMW PGA Championship, but Europe look well-prepared.
8 Europeans have played in an away Ryder Cup before. Only McIlroy, a member of the 2012 squad alongside Donald, has won on US soil. They will be aware of the enormity of the task facing them, but that experience should also stand them in good stead. This has the potential to be the most competitive Ryder Cup since Medinah and a wide-margin win in either direction looks unlikely.
Best 2025 Ryder Cup prop bets and specials
Ryder Cup prop bet: Tyrrell Hatton Top European Points Scorer (+1000)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Donald will hope McIlroy, Rahm and Fleetwood can lead from the front, and it’s no great surprise to see them dominating the market to be Europe’s top points scorer. McIlroy had a 4-1 record in Rome, Rahm was Europe’s best player in 2021, and Fleetwood, who has claimed 8 points from 12 matches, is full of confidence having won the Tour Championship last month.
However, it’s Hatton who looks the best option in that market as he prepares for his 4th Ryder Cup appearance. The tenacious Englishman has always looked like a Ryder Cup star in waiting, and he’s improved for every appearance, winning 1 point in Paris in 2018, 1.5 points at Whistling Straits and 3.5 in the win in Rome. Crucially, he is a regular partner for Rahm. The pair combined for 2 foursomes points at Marco Simone in 2023, and Donald will not hesitate in keeping the LIV Golf teammates together.
Ryder Cup prop bet: Scottie Scheffler Top USA Points Scorer (+280)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
In the top American market, it’s impossible to get away from Scheffler, who won the Procore Championship last time out and looks booked to compete in each session as long as he is fit and healthy. While Scheffler struggled in Rome, he showcased his potential in claiming 2.5 points from 3 matches as a Ryder Cup rookie in 2021, and he was a key member of the US team at the Presidents Cup last year, winning 3 points from 5 matches. With Schauffele undercooked, and both Justin Thomas and DeChambeau without confirmed partners, Bradley will hope his top dog can deliver the goods.
Ryder Cup prop bet: Russell Henley Top Overall Rookie (+188)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
If Scheffler top scores for the US, there is a decent chance that likely partner Russell Henley will claim the top rookie honors. That hasn’t escaped the oddsmakers’ attention, but he looks a worthy favorite, having claimed 3 points from 4 matches at last year’s Presidents Cup.
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