Europe Nears Ryder Cup Victory Amid LIV Golf Dispute, Historic Lead in New York

In the 2025 Ryder Cup held at Bethpage Black, Team Europe successfully defended their title on American soil, leading 11.5-4.5 going into the final day and needing just three of the 12 singles matches to retain the trophy. Europe made history by winning the first three sessions on foreign soil, with a dominant performance that left the American team struggling, including Scottie Scheffler, who became the first American to lose in each of the first four Ryder Cup sessions. Despite a major injury blow with Viktor Hovland pulling out due to a neck problem, Europe benefited from a rare 'envelope' rule, securing a half point and extending their lead to 12-5. The American side showed some resilience, with J.J. Spaun delivering crucial late-stage heroics, but overall, the Europeans maintained a strong grip on the competition. Controversies lingered as Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, both LIV Golf players facing fines from the DP World Tour, were allowed to compete after appealing, highlighting ongoing tensions within professional golf. The European team, led by captain Luke Donald, appears poised for potential future success, potentially achieving a three-peat in 2027 with much of the same squad.