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Posted (edited)

Little has changed with the course layout since 2019 for Bethpage:

The Black Course has undergone several renovations over the years, the most significant of which was completed by the so-called “Open Doctor,” Rees Jones, ahead of the ’02 U.S. Open. The work ahead of 2025 has been more modest: A new set of fairway bunkers on the 13th hole is one of several traps sporting new features, while the fairways are mown wider than most locals can remember, with a new addition — a first cut — surviving into the summer.

“The Black,” a 7,436-yard, par-70 bludgeoning that elicits many vertical walks and the distinct feeling of a kick in the shins.

 

Below videos are from 2019...

 

 

Edited by LTtxfan
Posted

Ryder Cup Standings as FedEx Cup playoffs begin

The American side of things appears to be a bit more complicated. That is partly because some household names have struggled this season, while others have surprisingly excelled. That will make it increasingly difficult for Bradley to make his selections.

Meanwhile, things are a bit more cut and dry on the European side. Donald should have a much easier time making his selections.

So, let’s break it down for each team.

Team USA Rankings

As it stands, Scottie Scheffler has already locked up his Ryder Cup spot. He is followed by two-time major champion Xander Schauffele (13,383 points), reigning U.S. Open champion JJ Spaun (12,478 points), Russell Henley (11,623 points), Bryson DeChambeau (10,774 points), and Harris English (10,385 points).

English’s consistent play has bumped him up a few spots over the last two months. He jumped past stalwarts Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa.

The next six that technically rank high enough for consideration are Thomas (10,208 points), Morikawa (9,743 points), Ben Griffin (8,803 points), captain Keegan Bradley (8,038 points), Maverick McNealy (7,414 points), and Brian Harman (7,007 points).

But just because those players rank 7-12 does not mean captain Keegan will pick them. Granted, Bradley appears on the precipice of history in becoming the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963. But that still leaves five spots to fill.

Andrew Novak, Patrick Cantlay, newly minted winner Cameron Young, Sam Burns, Wyndham Clark, Lucas Glover, Daniel Berger, and Chris Gotterup round out the top 20. Of those, Cantlay, Burns, and Clark were members of the 2023 Ryder Cup squad.

Cantlay may not be popular, but he has proven to have the gumption for this type of competition. He has a career Ryder Cup record of 5-2-1 for 5.5 points won for the Americans. Burns and Clark have not had nearly that level of success and appear unlikely to be chosen this time around.

Novak is an interesting case, because even though he is not well-known, he is having a breakout year. He has one win, one runner up, four top 10s, and nine top 25s this season. It would be surprising to see Berger or Gotterup chosen. You cannot count out Glover, since he’s part of that elder club on the PGA Tour alongside captain Keegan.

But we also cannot overlook Jordan Spieth. He is only ranked 27th with 3,603 points. But his Ryder Cup experience (8-7-3, 9.5 points won), and history in major championships cannot be discounted.

Thomas’ resurgence, Morikawa’s experience in big moments, and Griffin’s stellar play this year seem to make them locks. With Bradley probably choosing to play, that leaves two spots.

Team Europe Rankings

As I mentioned, the European side of things seem to be more clear.

Rory McIlroy has already claimed his spot. He is followed by Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Shane Lowry, and Sepp Straka. All six appear destined for Bethpage Black.

The next six are Rasmus Hojgaard, Justin Rose, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland, Matt Wallace, and Matt Fitzpatrick.

Rose has proven that he is made for the Ryder Cup. Aberg was stellar in 2023 and appears to be a lock, as does Hovland. Fitzpatrick, the former U.S. Open winner, is also highly likely to make the team.

Jon Rahm is No. 21 in the rankings. But we all know the Spaniard will be playing in New York. The question is, who will be Donald’s final selection?

That is probably between Hojgaard, Wallace, Thomas Detry, and Aaron Rai.

 

Posted

Discussion on whether Bethpage Black is a good venue for the match play format of Ryder Cup...

 

I wonder if Ryder Cup officials might set up Bethpage easier than normal to encourage more birdies???

Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, 4th&Five said:

The home team decides the course set up. 

Yeah knew wider fairways for this was US Teams decision -- just was wondering if they also get to determine pin positions for each session??

 

Edited by LTtxfan
Posted
20 minutes ago, LTtxfan said:

Yeah knew wider fairways for this was US Teams decision -- just was wondering if they also get to determine pin positions for each session??

 

Yes

Posted (edited)

Found 2 old articles discussing Ryder Cup course set up... interesting stuff

This ingenious trick helped Europe win a Ryder Cup—could it work again?

By Luke Kerr-Dineen  September 25, 2023

One of the glories about the Ryder Cup is that the host teams doesn't have to worry about being good hosts. In the weeks, months, and years heading into the competition, the home team has the ability to tailor the course in a variety of specific ways that can intentionally help their team—and hurt their guests.

It makes home-field advantage a very real thing at Ryder Cups—potentially too real, depending on who you ask.

It's a dark art the European team in particular has perfected due to the use of data and advanced analytics in its planning process. It's something I dive into in a little more detail in the video below, but in the course of putting it together, I came across an example from the last time Europe hosted the Ryder Cup, in 2018.

That year, the stats nerds within the European team found that when a number of key players on the U.S. side—Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Patrick Reed, among them—missed the fairway, they missed by an average of about 30 feet.

Their goal became to maximize these errors, in two ways.

The first was growing out the rough, which was obvious to all the moment they arrived at Le Golf National outside Paris.

But the second was more subtle: It was to push the rope line for the gallery back, further away from the fairway. That way, when players missed the fairway, their ball wouldn't find a spot that likely was trampled down by the crowd. Rather it would be buried in deep rough—and deep trouble.

Screenshot_2025-08-05-18-01-13_kindlephoto-7501930.png.71b8a7e62872ab0ce7e324013ce5a46e.png

The plan worked marvelously. Well, for Europe. Tiger and Reed, who was the hero for the U.S. in the previous Ryder Cup, in particular struggled, as Europe cruised to an against-the-odds victory.

Will it happen again at this Ryder Cup? The rough is certainly up again according to early reports. I doubt we’ll get a carbon copy of this strategy, personally, because it was so dependent on specific U.S. players at the time (who won’t be in Rome). We’ll do doubt see different strategies to counteract U.S. team members this time. Whether it’ll work as well remains to be seen.

Once again, you can check out the full video right here:

 

 

--------------------------------------------

And this second article is so long, just gonna put link here for those interested...

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/ryder-cup-homefield-advantage-2023-united-states-europe-rome 

 

Edited by LTtxfan
Posted (edited)
48 minutes ago, LTtxfan said:

Yeah knew wider fairways for this was US Teams decision -- just was wondering if they also get to determine pin positions for each session??

 

28 minutes ago, TonyTexas said:

Yes

 

Actually the answer is...  NO

Found this in old article above:

It is recognised that the home side has the opportunity to influence and direct the setup and preparation of the course for the Ryder Cup. It is hereby agreed that any such influence, direction and/or preparation will be limited to course architecture/course design, fairway widths, rough heights, green speed and firmness, and will conclude the Sunday prior to the matches (Sunday, September 24th 2023).

From Monday, September 25th 2023 all daily decisions related to course preparation/setup including frequency and height of mowing tees, fairways and greens, determining if the greens should be rolled to maintain speed, firmness and smoothness, and selecting tees and pin positions, will be the responsibility of the Match Committee alone. The Match Committee is made up of one representative from both Ryder Cup Europe and the PGA of America. This is done to maintain the integrity of the Ryder Cup.

 

Edited by LTtxfan
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