The Ryder Cup is off to an
emotional start for Team USA
[September 23, 2025]
By DOUG FERGUSON
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (AP) — The Ryder Cup had moments of inspiration in
vastly different forms during a quiet Monday start to golf's most
chaotic week. There were tears for the Americans as they gathered on
the first tee at sunrise and a strong reminder for Europe as it goes
after a rare road win.
U.S. captain Keegan Bradley had his entire team on the first tee
before the gates open, no one in the massive grandstands that come
Friday will be packed with flag-waving fans.
He had Chris Mascali, a New York firefighter whose father died
during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, speak to the team. Mascali
brought his uniform, along with the helmet of his father, Joe
Mascali. Those now are in the team room for the Americans.
Bryan Robinson from FDNY Ladder 16 sang the national anthem as the
large video board showed great moments in Ryder Cup history.
“I had this vision of doing that for about a year,” Bradley said.
“And to be out there and see it, and see how emotional the guys got,
was a really special time for our team.”
The Americans walked solemnly across the bridge from the first tee
complex, headed to the practice area, then played 18 holes of the
Black Course.
Team Europe spent two days at Bethpage Black a week ago and then
dispersed — some to American homes, others playing some of Long
Island's best golf courses — until returning to Bethpage for what it
expects to be a big challenge.
The Americans have lost at home only four times since the Ryder Cup
began in 1927. European captain Luke Donald had his team wear
salmon-colored pullovers or sweater vests, a subtle reminder of what
can be done.
That was the Sunday color for the European team in 1987 when it
stunned the Americans at Muirfield Village to win its first Ryder
Cup away from home. Europe has won three more times on U.S. soil
since then, the most recent 13 years ago in what became known as the
“Miracle at Medinah” because of the Sunday rally.
“That's motivating to the guys that it can be done, it has been
done, and again, we’re here to try and do it again,” Donald said.
Europe is coming off a resounding win at Marco Simone and returns 11
of the 12 players from the Italy matches in 2023 — the exception is
Rasmus Hojgaard, the identical twin of Nicolai Hojgaard, who played
in the last Ryder Cup.
But the Europeans lost by nine points in 2021 at Whistling Straits,
by six points at Hazeltine in 2016 and by five points at Valhalla in
2008.
“I think it’s always important to rally around something,” Donald
said. “We always have things that we come up with that are important
to us. History and our unity and celebrating what we’ve done in the
past and the legends that have kind of come before us is really
important.
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In this June 12, 2009, file photo, Bunkers line the fairway and
protect the green on the 18th hole of Bethpage State Park's Black
Course in Farmingdale, N.Y. Bethpage is hosting its third major when
the PGA Championship starts May 16. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, File)
“This is going to be a difficult challenge.”
There were not many surprises in the way Bradley grouped his three
groups of four players for the only full practice round they play
this week.
Justin Thomas and Cameron Young were together, as they were in the
Procore Championship two weeks ago in Napa, California. Ben Griffin,
one of four Ryder Cup rookies, was with Bryson DeChambeau, who was
not in Napa because he's with LIV Golf and thus ineligible for PGA
Tour play.
Scottie Scheffler was with Russell Henley — they formed a tough
partnership in the Presidents Cup last year at Royal Montreal —
along with U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun and Harris English.
The final group had Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, partners
for most team matches over the last six years, along with Sam Burns
and Collin Morikawa, who won a fourballs match in Marco Simone at
the last Ryder Cup.
Schauffele and DeChambeau have gone about a month since last
competing. DeChambeau finished the LIV season on Aug. 24, and
Schauffele missed the Procore Championship while at home with a
newborn son.
The captains are good friends, both living close to each other in
South Florida, and shared one sentiment about the Ryder Cup. As
tense as it has become, the goal is to enjoy the week not knowing if
the opportunity will come up again.
Bradley played in two Ryder Cups, the last one in 2014. He has not
been back in any capacity until the 39-year-old who played college
golf at St. John's was named captain last year.
He felt that sentiment as his team gathered on the first tee to
listen to Mascali.
“It was a powerful moment,” Bradley said. "You're looking around and
seeing all the guys staring at what we were doing and so into it in
such an emotional way. A lot of people have worked really hard to
get to this point in their lives.
“Sometimes in your life and in your career, you have to take stock
in what’s happening around you,” he said. “I think one of my biggest
regrets earlier in my career wasn’t enjoying things more. And for
that moment out this morning, guys were really taking that in and
enjoying it, and that was a beautiful thing.”
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