September 24, 2025
Viktor Hovland recorded a win at the Valspar Championship in March, the highlight of an overall successful campaign in 2025. He posted nine top-25 finishes and missed just three cuts in 18 events. Finishing 10th in European Ryder Cup points, he did not automatically qualify, but his impressive 3-1-1 record in 2023 and overall 3-4-3 mark across two appearances, combined with his steady season, were enough to earn a captain's pick from Luke Donald. Hovland finished the season 17th in total strokes gained, second in strokes gained on approach, and 13th in strokes gained tee to green. His weaknesses were in the short game, where he ranked 108th in putting and 127th around the greens. Hovland has played in all 10 matches he has been eligible for in his previous Ryder Cup appearances, so it would not be surprising to see him featured in all five sessions again at Bethpage Black.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
September 24, 2025
Tommy Fleetwood finally broke through with his first career victory at the TOUR Championship, capping off an impressive season in which he recorded eight top-10 finishes. He ranked third in Ryder Cup points for Team Europe, easily qualifying for his fourth appearance in the event. Across his previous three Ryder Cup appearances, Fleetwood holds a 7-3-2 record. He finished this season ranked second in total strokes gained (+1.629 per round), third in strokes gained tee to green (+1.225), and sixth in strokes gained on approach (+0.711). He is not long off the tee, ranking just 118th in driving distance, which could be a factor at Bethpage Black, one of the longest courses on the schedule. However, he makes up for it with his short game, where he ranks 17th on tour (+0.404). Fleetwood should play a pivotal role for Team Europe at the Ryder Cup.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
September 24, 2025
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler has continued his dominance in 2025, recording six wins and ending the season with 15 consecutive finishes inside the top eight. He looks to carry that form into the Ryder Cup, where he automatically qualified as the team's points leader with over 37,000 points, more than doubling J.J. Spaun, who finished second with just under 15,000. Scheffler holds a surprising 2-2-3 record in his two previous Ryder Cup appearances, including going winless in four matches in 2023. This year, he led the PGA Tour in total strokes gained (+2.743 per round), tee-to-green (+2.361), off the tee (+0.748), and approach (+1.291). He also brings plenty of power off the tee, ranking 30th in driving distance. Scheffler is far and away the best player in the world and is likely to be featured in all five matches he is eligible to play.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
September 24, 2025
Sam Burns will represent Team USA at the Ryder Cup after a late-season push that helped him earn selection by captain Keegan Bradley. Burns put together an overall strong 2025 campaign with six top-10 finishes and only three missed cuts across 25 events. He has one prior Ryder Cup appearance, finishing with a 1-2-0 record. Burns enters Bethpage Black with plenty of positives, ranking 51st in driving distance, 11th in total strokes gained (+0.997 per round), and first in putting (+0.983 per round). He has struggled on approach, however, ranking just 118th (-0.118 strokes per round). His prolific ability with the flatstick should give Team USA an edge, and Bradley will look to maximize that strength when choosing pairings.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
September 24, 2025
Matt Fitzpatrick turned up the heat late in the season, recording seven top-20 finishes in his final 10 events. That form was more than enough to convince captain Luke Donald to select him for his fourth Ryder Cup team. In his previous three appearances, Fitzpatrick holds a 1-7-0 record, with his lone win coming in 2023. This season, he ranks 34th in total strokes gained (+0.647 per round), 60th in driving accuracy, and 29th in putting (+0.326), all key categories in team play. Fitzpatrick is arguably playing the best golf of his career and has the full trust of Team Europe, despite his struggles in past Ryder Cups.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
September 24, 2025
Bryson DeChambeau will represent Team USA at the Ryder Cup after automatically qualifying with 10,774.98 points, boosted by three top-10 finishes in the four majors. On LIV this year, he ranks first in strokes gained off the tee (+1.63 per round), first in ball striking (+1.63), and second in strokes gained tee-to-green (+1.86). In his previous Ryder Cup appearances, DeChambeau holds a 2-3-1 record, with all three losses coming in 2018 when he went 0-3-0. He bounced back in 2021 with a strong 2-0-1 performance. With Bethpage Black being one of the longest courses around, his distance off the tee makes him a dangerous opponent in every match he plays.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: DataGolf
September 24, 2025
Shane Lowry did not have the best year in the majors. The Irish golfer finished T-40 at The Open Championship, missed two cuts, and was outside the Top 40 at The Masters. However, Lowry did have four Top 10 results and is still 24th in the OWGR (World Rankings). The 2019 winner of The Open Championship. Lowry is 2-3-1 in two appearances at the Ryder Cup (2021 and 2023). That includes a 1-1-1 record at Marco Simone and 1-2 at Whistling Straits. Driving the ball at Bethpage Black could be a challenge for Lowry (298.1 yards - 132nd). There are six long Par 4 holes (460+ yards). Lowry ranks 64th at Par 4's (4.01) and has a 3.59 birdie average (134th). He will need every yard facing one of the longest courses this season.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
September 24, 2025
Russell Henley has had an extremely successful 2025. The American golfer finished T-2nd in the FedEx Cup standings. Furthermore, he has rocketed up to third in the OWGR (World Rankings). He has finished inside the Top 20 in every tournament entered since June 1st (eight events). That includes runner-up results at the Travelers and the Tour Championship. Henley won the Arnold Palmer Invitational. There are some concerns with a longer course but Henley is very accurate with an average driver (7th at 68.68%). Proximity ranks second and he is a respectable 46th in shots from greater than 200 yards. Henley is one of the rookie to keep an eye on at Bethpage Black.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
September 24, 2025
Robert Macintyre finished second behind Rory McIlroy in the European points standings to qualify for the Ryder Cup. The Scottish golfer had six Top 10 results in 2025. Coming off two 2024 wins, Macintyre followed up the hype with runner up finishes at the US Open and BMW Championship. He ranks 15th overall in strokes gained at 0.894 because of his ability to do most things well. It does not hurt that Macintyre is 40th in greens in regulation (68.65%). He went 2-0-1 in the 2023 Ryder Cup over in Europe and was one of the most successful rookies. With the weather expected to roll in on Thursday, Macintyre may feel right at home.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
September 24, 2025
Patrick Cantlay will represent Team USA at the Ryder Cup. The American golfer finished five times in the Top 10 in 2025 and ranked T-2 overall in the FedEx Cup standings. He was 15th in overall points to qualify for the Ryder Cup but was a Captain's Pick. One of the bigger reasons for that might have been his 5-2-1 record on the big stage. 2021 may have sealed his spot when he went 3-0-1 at Whistling Straits including 2-0 in singles play. Cantlay has excelled in 2025 in getting the ball on the green (70.05% - 18th). His ability to do mostly everything well could be essential on Long Island. The course plays at 7,468 yards which suits Cantlay well in wet or dry weather.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
September 24, 2025
Justin Rose enjoyed a renaissance year on the PGA Tour in his mid 40's. The golfer from England was named to the Ryder Cup team behind finishing fourth in the rankings. He automatically qualified after winning at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Add in five Top 10 finishes and it has been some 2025 for Rose. His putting is vital for the Ryder Cup. Rose ranks 13th in one-putt percentage (42.91%), 10th in putting average (1.72), and 18th in birdie average (4.19). Bethpage Black is one of the longer courses out there and Rose's length off the tee could become an issue as conditions dry out over the weekend.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
September 24, 2025
Harris English is now a top-10 golfer in the world. The American golfer won once in 2025, with four top-10 results. The Farmers Insurance Open win showed the golfer's resilience and resourcefulness. English nearly won The Open Championship as well. He ranked 13th in strokes gained in putting (0.431). He drives the ball well (304.7 yards) and is solid with accuracy at 61.39% (57th overall). English may get a chance to be crafty on Thursday. The weather at Bethpage Black is expected to be less than ideal. On the bright side, expect a spectacular weekend of golf with English at least being a factor in the action.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
September 23, 2025
Xander Schauffele was one of the six automatic qualifiers to represent Team USA at the Ryder Cup. This year the Ryder Cup will be held at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York. Schauffele missed the first part of the season this year due to a nagging rib injury but came on strong once he was healthy, finishing 42nd in the FedEx Cup standings. Over the past 12 months, Schauffele ranks in the 96th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth mentioning because Bethpage Black is one of the longer courses the players will face this season.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
September 23, 2025
Tyrrell Hatton was one of the six automatic qualifiers to represent Team Europe at the Ryder Cup. This year the Ryder Cup will be held at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York. Hatton finished in 26th for overall points on the LIV Golf tour this season but he played well in the Major championships, finishing T14 at the Masters Tournament, tied for fourth at the U.S. Open, T60 at the PGA Championship and T16 at The Open Championship. Over the past 12 months, Hatton ranks in the 99th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth pointing out because Bethpage Black is one of the longer courses the players will face this season.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
September 23, 2025
Rory McIlroy was one of the six automatic qualifiers to represent Team Europe at the Ryder Cup. This year the Ryder Cup will be held at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York. McIlroy had an unforgettable season that included four wins, six top-10 finishes and one missed cut. Over the past 12 months, McIlroy has ranked 82nd percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is significant because Bethpage Black is one of the longer courses the players will face this year.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
RADIO
