The 45th Ryder Cup kicks off on Friday morning at Bethpage Black with key matchups between the U.S. and Europe. Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas face Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton in the opening foursomes session. Highlights include Scottie Scheffler vs. Ludvig Åberg, Collin Morikawa vs. Rory McIlroy, and Xander Schauffele vs. Robert MacIntyre. The first session is crucial for the leading team, with the U.S. historically dominating foursomes. Viewers will see top golfers in action as the tournament progresses.
The RDER Cup 2025 is about to ignite with an electrifying start that no golf fan will want to miss. The much anticipated 45th edition of this legendary tournament kicks off Friday morning at the challenging Beth Paige black course beginning with the intense foresome session. But here’s where it gets controversial. The US team is putting their faith in Bryson Dshambo and Justin Thomas to lead the charge despite Dshambo’s rocky history in this format. Bryson Dshambo, a key figure for the American side, will open the competition alongside Justin Thomas, facing off against Europe’s formidable duo of John Rom and Tier Hatton. It’s a fascinating matchup because Dshambo has yet to secure a win in his two previous Forsomes appearances. Both losses dating back to his debut in 2018. On the flip side, Rahm and Hatton have an impeccable record, never having lost in their two Forsomes outings together. This contrast sets the stage for a thrilling showdown. US Captain Keegan Bradley expressed confidence in his opening pair, saying, “They bring a spark to our team. Bryson has been an incredible teammate in the locker room and we really wanted him to lead our team out with Justin in the first match. This highlights not just the players skills but also their chemistry and leadership qualities which can be just as crucial in team events like the RDER Cup. The first session will feature four matches kicking off at 7:10 a.m. Eastern time. Following the morning’s foresomes, the afternoon will showcase four four ball matches. Saturday’s schedule will mirror Friday’s format, culminating in Sunday’s 12 singles matches, where individual performances take center stage. Historically, Europe has held an edge in the forsomes format over the past eight rider cups, outscoring the US by seven points. However, the home team has enjoyed a remarkable streak, winning the Forsomes in nine consecutive RDER Cups played on their soil. This dynamic adds an intriguing layer of pressure and expectation for both sides. The significance of the opening session cannot be overstated. Since the RDER Cup adopted the five session format in 1979, the team leading after the first session has gone on to win or retain the cup nine times, lost five times, and tied once. This statistic underscores how crucial a strong start can be in setting the tone for the entire event. Other notable pairings include Scotty Sheffler teaming up once again with rookie Russell Henley. They had a balanced 1-1 record in foresomes at last year’s President’s Cup and will now face the fresh European pairing of Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick. Meanwhile, European captain Luke Donald is introducing a new duo in Victor Havland and Robert McIntyre who will challenge the experienced American pair of Xander Schoffley and Patrick Kley. Schoffley and Kantley boast an impressive 6-3 record in Rder Cup Forsomes, making this a matchup to watch closely. In the third match, Colin Morawa and Harris English will take on Rory Mroy and Tommy Fleetwood, a European team that went undefeated in Forsomes during the 2021 Riter Cup in Rome. This pairing pits rising American talent against seasoned European veterans, promising a compelling battle. For those eager to catch every moment, the Rder Cup action at Beth Paige Black will be broadcast live with updates available throughout the event to keep fans fully engaged. On the sidelines, several players will be resting during the Forsome session. For the US, rookies JJ Spawn, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, and Sam Burns, who made his debut in Rome, will sit out. Europe’s bench includes Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Sept Straka, and Raasmas Hogard. Luke Donald commented on the evolving nature of player dynamics since the last RDER Cup, saying, “It’s 2 years ago, Rome. Players evolve, players change, their profiles change. So again, you’re looking at personality matchups. We have so many options that it’s really quite fun for me as a captain, but we know the US are going to be strong. They’re strong in forsomes and have some amazing partnerships there, and we wanted to bring our best as well. And this is what we feel is our best. This insight reveals the strategic depth behind pairing decisions, emphasizing that success isn’t just about individual skill, but also about how personalities and playing styles mesh. Here’s the full rundown of Friday’s Forsomes pairings and their starting times. 7:10 a.m. Eastern time, Bryson Dashambo, Justin Thomas, US versus John Rahm Tier Hatton, Europe. 7:26 a.m. Scotty Sheffller and Russell Henley, US versus Ludvig Aubberg and Matt Fitzpatrick, Europe. 7:42 a.m. Colin Morawa, Harris English, US versus Rory Mroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Europe. 7:58 a.m. ET Xander Schoffley, Patrick Kentlay, US versus Robert McIntyre, Victor Havland, Europe. So, what do you think? Is putting D to Shambo and Thomas out front a bold move or a risky gamble? Can Europe’s unbeaten Rahm Hatton duo continue their streak? Or will the Americans finally break through? Share your thoughts and predictions. This is the kind of debate that makes the RDER Cup so captivating. After all, in a competition steeped in history and passion, every decision counts and every match could be the turning point.
