Staff predictions for 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black

The 2025 Ryder Cup gets underway Friday at Bethpage Black, where Crushers GC GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau, Legion XIII Captain Jon Rahm and Legion XIII star Tyrrell Hatton will compete for their respective teams in one of golf’s greatest events. Here’s how our LIV Golf staffers see it playing out.

JASON CROOK, SENIOR DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER

Predict the winner

Europe. If the home crowd gets in Team Europe’s head, it could tilt things in the U.S.’s favor. If the U.S. stars show out, it will be close. If their rookies put some points on the board, they could win. That is a lot of “ifs.” Team Europe is showing up with essentially the same team from two years ago when they won 16.5-11.5. You know what you’re going to get from them.

Predict the points for the three LIV Golf players

Jon Rahm – 3
Bryson DeChambeau – 3.5
Tyrrell Hatton – 3

Predict the Sunday Singles opponent for the three LIV Golf players

Bryson DeChambeau vs Rory McIlroy. The two most fiery personalities on either side have developed a rivalry over the last couple of seasons, most recently with McIlroy reigning supreme at this year’s Masters. But this could be the opportunity for Bryson to establish himself as the new “Captain America.”

Jon Rahm vs Scottie Scheffler. Who doesn’t want to see the two best players from LIV Golf and the PGA Tour going head-to-head?

Tyrrell Hatton vs Patrick Cantlay. The usually mild-mannered Cantlay was last Ryder Cup’s Mr. Controversy – the no-hat uproar, the rumors over wanting to be paid for play and the commotion of his caddie’s early, and over-the-top celebration. Hatton’s fiery personality would be the perfect counter for any controversy and would take things up a notch for 18 holes on Sunday.

Name one thing that will decide the outcome

Continuity. Europe has dominated the biennial event in recent years, winning eight of the last 11 Ryder Cups since 2002. And continuity has been one of the main reasons. The Euros seem to embrace the team aspect of this event better than the Americans, and it could be the deciding factor again this week as they return 11 of the 12 players from their victory two years ago.

MIKE MCALLISTER, DIRECTOR, EDITORIAL

Predict the winner

Europe. Seems foolish to pick against the home side, which has won the last five Ryder Cups. But keeping the winning roster (and captain) practically intact from two years ago will pay dividends for Europe in the anticipated hostile environment against an American team with four Ryder Cup rookies.

Predict the points for the three LIV Golf players

Jon Rahm – 4
Bryson DeChambeau – 3.5
Tyrrell Hatton – 3.5

Predict the Sunday Singles opponent for the three LIV Golf players

Bryson DeChambeau vs Rory McIlroy. Everybody wants it, so let’s “find a way” to make it happen.

Jon Rahm vs Scottie Scheffler. LIV Golf’s best versus PGA Tour’s best.

Tyrrell Hatton vs Justin Thomas. Hatton seeking revenge for his 4&3 loss four years ago at Whistling Straits.

Name one thing that will decide the outcome.

Foursomes. The last time the visiting team won more points in foursomes was the 2004 Ryder Cup, when Europe went 6-2-0 at Oakland Hills en route to their biggest winning margin. Europe just needs to split the foursomes points.

BRYAN MULLEN, DIGITAL PRODUCER

Predict the winner

Europe. The roster consistency is hard to overlook, as is Europe’s domination in recent years. And while some might think team captaincy can be overrated, that is not the case with Luke Donald. He returns as the winning captain, brings a steady and calm influence and has the team prepared for a raucaus away game.

Predict the points for the three LIV Golf players

Jon Rahm – 3
Bryson Dechambeau – 2
Tyrrell Hatton – 3.5

Predict the Sunday Singles opponent for the three LIV Golf players

Bryson DeChambeau vs. Rory McIlroy. Give fans from both sides what they want.

Jon Rahm vs. Scottie Scheffler. It would be a masterclass in super-human focus.

Tyrrell Hatton vs. Xander Schauffele. Hatton is 1-0-0 in his only matchup against Schauffele and every bit of positive history helps.

Name one thing that will decide the outcome.

Tyrrell Hatton’s history of being able to grind out matches and close hasn’t received as much attention as the low-hanging fruit of his on-course self-scolding. He is playing in his fourth Ryder Cup, has a 5-4-2 overall record and has hoisted two Ryder Cups with his teammates. A scintillating Sundays Singles match could provide a bolt of energy for the Europeans.

MATT VINCENZI, SENIOR WRITER

Predict the winner

United States. Europe may have the slightly better roster, but winning a road Ryder Cup is one of the most difficult feats in professional sports. The crowd at Bethpage Black will be a major factor and the red, white and blue seem extra motivated coming off the 2023 loss. The narratives this week about the United States players being paid and the Europeans being a more tightly knit group have gone too far. The United States sends a message this week.

Predict the points for the three LIV Golf players

Jon Rahm – 2
Bryson DeChambeau – 4
Tyrrell Hatton – 1.5

Predict the Sunday Singles opponent for the three LIV Golf players

Bryson DeChambeau vs Rory McIlroy. McIlroy took a shot at DeChambeau last week, saying “I think the only way he gets attention is by mentioning other people. That is basically what I think of that. To get attention he will mention me or Scottie [Scheffler] or others." DeChambeau beat McIlroy at the 2024 U.S. Open and McIlroy beat DeChambeau at the 2025 Masters. The two biggest stars in golf need a rubber match.

Jon Rahm vs Justin Thomas. I could see Rahm getting easily annoyed by Thomas' theatrics and playing to the crowd, which would be incredibly entertaining.

Tyrrell Hatton vs Patrick Cantlay. Cantlay and his caddie Joe LaCava were entangled in controversy in Rome, and it would be a site to behold if there was more drama with Cantlay this week involving one of Europe's most entertaining players.

Name one thing that will decide the outcome.

The United States utilization of Bryson DeChambeau. For the U.S. to overcome the slight talent disadvantage, they'll need a big week from DeChambeau and will need to put him in position to thrive. As arguably the team's second-best player, the Crushers GC captain should be playing in all five sessions.

(Photo by Maddie Meyer/PGA of America)