Inside Bethpage Black, aka The Beast, the notorious New York course hosting the Ryder Cup
Word quickly got out that the European captain was in town, so by the time the pair walked to the first tee the next day for their reconnaissance of Bethpage Black, a pack of around two dozen grinning locals were waiting to greet them.
Lawrence Ostlere26 September 2025 11:00
The Course: Bethpage Black, New York
Bethpage Black is known as one of the most difficult golf courses in the world. It is a par 71 and stretches to a daunting 7,426 yards, favouring the long hitters on tour.
Players will be greeted by a sign on the first tee: “The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers”.
There have been three major championships held at the course, including most recently the 2019 PGA Championship, won by Brooks Koepka, who is competing to be on Team USA this time around.
The course set-up is in the hands of the hosts, meaning USA can adjust conditions to suit their players. That said, Team Europe’s talent and characteristics are largely similar to Team USA, meaning less advantage this time around.
Players can expect narrower fairways and deep rough though, favouring players who can carry the ball a long way. The 15th hole is notoriously difficult and known as ‘The Beast’.
Mike Jones26 September 2025 10:50
‘There’s already a commotion at Bethpage’
“Arriving at Bethpage at around 5:30am, it’s pitch black, but there’s already a commotion as fans pile in.
“A heightened police presence, staff are preparing the driving range for the players. While the holes and speed are being measured on the putting green, Russell Henley’s team already here and making notes.
“The traditional race to the grandstand around the first tee has started too, fans surging past each other, desperate for that vantage point 90 minutes before that first match DeChambeau and Thomas v Rahm and Hatton.”
(Jack Rathborn/The Independent)
Jack Rathborn at Bethpage26 September 2025 10:47
Ryder Cup: What’s the format?
There are 28 points up for grabs with the winners required to reach 14.5 points. The holders can defend the cup by reaching 14 points, with a draw ensuring they retain the cup.
The competition lasts three days and the first two days, Friday and Saturday, see the players battle it out over foursomes (alternate shot) and fourballs (better ball). The action concludes on Sunday with 12 singles matches.
Each match offers up one point, though the point can be halved if the match is tied after 18 holes, resulting in each team winning half a point.
The players involved in foursomes (alternate shot) and fourballs (better ball) will be announced shortly before each session, with every player tasked with competing in a singles match on Sunday.
Mike Jones26 September 2025 10:40
DeChambeau on facing McIlroy at Ryder Cup
“Look, I think rivalries are good for the game of golf, and albeit I have the ultimate respect for Rory as a player,” DeChambeau remarked.
“It’s going to be fun to go up against him this week, whether it’s against him directly or through other players. I think it going to be a fun challenge this week.
“Would I love to go up against him? Yeah. It would be a lot of fun. Is it going to happen? It’s not likely. I mean, maybe once. You never know.
“I don’t know if there’s planning behind the scenes or whatnot. But look, he’s a fierce competitor, a great competitor, but one that I would love the opportunity to play against this week.”
Ryder Cup Golf (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Mike Jones26 September 2025 10:30
Bryson DeChambeau makes Rory McIlroy request to ignite Ryder Cup rivalry
Alongside world No 1 Scottie Scheffler, McIlroy and DeChambeau have been two of the most pivotal figures in the game in recent years, with the pair swapping gibes in the build-up to Bethpage Black this week.
Jack Rathborn26 September 2025 10:20
McIlroy on DeChambeau rivalry
Naturally, Rory McIlroy has been asked about his rivalry with Bryson DeChambeau this week.
“I promised Luke I would only speak about Europe,” he said in yesterday’s news conference when asked about it.
“It’s so easy to get swept up into narratives. All I want to do is put blue points on the board and do what I can for the European team.
“If I come up against Bryson, great.”
Rory McIlroy has urged Europe to make history at the Ryder Cup (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Wire)
Mike Jones26 September 2025 10:10
Rahm’s Ryder Cup memories
Speaking to the media yesterday, Jon Rahm explored his memories of the first Ryder Cup he played in.
“I didn’t know what to expect on my first Ryder Cup, but it’s more how fun the team aspect is,” he revealed.
“How much we enjoy the locker room aspect is definitely not something I thought of as a kid.
“There’s definitely a hierarchy, as I’d only been a pro just over two years at that point. I’d been playing great golf, but the second I got in the locker room that I was way lower down, just because of how comfortable others are.
“I guess nowadays we’d call it the aura. It was intimidating and in a weird sense it was very humbling.”
Europe’s Jon Rahm speaks during a news conference at the Ryder Cup golf tournament (AP)
Mike Jones26 September 2025 10:00
McIlroy’s Ryder Cup memories
Rory McIlroy was asked if he could remember his first experience of the Ryder Cup which came at Celtic Manor in 2010.
“Yeah, I think it’s more the behind-the-scenes stuff: The team room, the team talks, how much — I think for me, going in as a complete rookie — look, I watched Ryder Cups growing up. I cried when America won at Brookline. Like it’s not as if I didn’t feel something when I watched Ryder Cups,” he responded.
“But I don’t know, I just — I got into that team room at Celtic Manor and I just saw how much it meant to everyone. I sort of started — I was like, maybe I got this wrong.
“You start to see how much — yeah, especially for Europeans. I remember Seve was sick, and we had him on one of those conference call things like back in the day. He’s speaking to the team, and we’re all in the team room. This is on like the Wednesday or Thursday night. You know, and I look around and the majority of the team is crying as Seve is talking to us.
“And I’m like, that is — that’s it. That’s the embodiment of what the European Ryder Cup Team is. I think that was the moment, that conference call with Seve in 2010, was the moment for me.”
Rory McIlroy of Team Europe smiles during a practice round (Getty Images)
Mike Jones26 September 2025 09:51
Rory McIlroy declares United States ‘the best country in the world’ on eve of Ryder Cup
McIlroy has lived in the USA for many years in his Jupiter, Florida base after permanently moving after gaining full status on the PGA Tour in 2008.
The Northern Irishman has moved back to establish a UK base in Surrey this year, but with his wife Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy are American, and the Masters champion detailed why the country holds a special place in his heart.
Mike Jones26 September 2025 09:40
