The spotlight isn’t just on the golfers this weekend at the Ryder Cup; their partners are also in the limelight.
As Team USA and Team Europe prepare to compete in this prestigious golf event, the attention turns to their wives and girlfriends, affectionately known as “Wags.” These ladies bring a blend of style, support, and a pinch of drama to the Green at Beth Page Black Course starting Friday.
The Ryder Cup happens every two years, showcasing top American golfers against European rivals. While the players aim for greatness under intense scrutiny, their partners offer unwavering support.
With both the U.S. and European teams finalized, let’s take a look at the strong women behind the stars at this year’s Ryder Cup.
Erika Stoll, Team Europe
Erika Stoll stirred up some controversy earlier this year when fans critiqued her reserved reaction to her husband Rory McIlroy’s win at the Masters. Folks seemed to overlook the fact that their journey has seen its ups and downs, especially after McIlroy’s divorce filing in 2024.
Originally hailing from Northern Ireland, McIlroy met Stoll during the 2011 Ryder Cup, where she was working behind the scenes. She expressed her passion for the PGA, often mentioning her aspirations dating back to her university days.
Though she keeps her personal Instagram account quite private, her posts are few and far between.
Meredith Scheffler, Team USA
While Scotty Scheffler ranks as the world’s number one golfer, his wife Meredith was quite the star in high school.
Recently, she wowed attendees in a stunning red dress at the Ryder Cup Gala. Her involvement with faith-based nonprofits is noteworthy, as she champions causes aimed at alleviating poverty.
Meredith found love with Scotty during her senior year in high school, having recognized his golf prowess after seeing him in a tournament commercial. Nowadays, she often features alongside their young son on Scotty’s Instagram, celebrating his victories.
Katherine Fitzpatrick, Team USA
Former Miss New Jersey runner-up Katherine Fitzpatrick is married to Team Europe’s Matt Fitzpatrick. With her growing presence as a lifestyle influencer, she shares glimpses of her life, from NYC to Wimbledon.
Demonstrating a lighthearted touch, Katherine marks her husband’s golf balls with sweet notes like “MF Is Cute” and “I Love You.”
Caroline Burns, Team USA
Longtime partners Caroline and Sam Burns have known each other since childhood. Caroline recalls being his first Valentine when they were just five — a lovely story they often share.
A proud LSU alum, Caroline pursued both marketing and counseling degrees. The couple tied the knot in 2019 and welcomed their first child last April. Caroline prefers to keep a low social media profile but supports Sam as he competes.
Kelly Cahill, Team Europe
Former college tennis player Kelly Cahill faced quite a challenge when she went head-to-head against her husband, John Rahm. Though competitive, she quickly realized that he was, well, better.
They now have three children, balancing their family life with their athletic careers.
Claire Craig, Team Europe
Tommy Fleetwood is married to Claire Craig, a woman who transitioned from managing his career to building a life together. Initially hesitant about their 23-year age gap, the two married in 2017 and now share a son as well as Claire’s two older children.
The couple enjoys a relatively private life, but they caught some attention when they appeared together before this year’s competitions.
Jillian Thomas Wisniewski, Team USA
Jillian, originally from Kentucky, has supported her husband Justin Thomas as they navigated family life since their wedding. She juggles her own career while being a devoted mother to their daughter.
In interviews, Justin often mentions how Jillian positively influences him, calling her integral to his success.
Katherine Zhu, Team USA
Colin Morikawa credits his wife Katherine Zhu for his accomplishments on the course, revealing that his winning streak really began after they started dating. The couple, who married in 2022, share a deep connection that stems from their college days.
Emily Blyser, Team Europe
Emily Blyser and her husband Tyrrell Hatton have injected a fun vibe into the LIV golf scene. Their wedding was quite the spectacle, marred by Hutton’s delay and unexpected rain but still filled with laughter.
The couple documents their unique journey together, though Emily’s blogging has slowed down lately.
Gillian Bradley, Team USA
Gillian has stood by Keegan Bradley’s side since 2012, earning admiration from fans for their love story. Married in 2016, they’ve shared their journey both on and off the courses.
Paige Dean, Team Europe
Sep Straka’s relationship with Paige Dean blossomed after their initial connection through mutual friends. After a courtship surrounded by college competition, the couple wed in 2021 and now enjoy a private family life after welcoming their son.
Diane Antonopoulos, Team Europe
Diane Antonopoulos met her husband, Team Europe captain Luke Donald, during their college years at Northwestern. They tied the knot in 2007 in a picturesque wedding in Santorini.
With three daughters now, the family shares glimpses of their travels on social media, celebrating both their love of sports and family.
Nikki Guidish Cantlay, Team USA
Nikki and Patrick Cantlay’s love story unfolded after the couple got engaged in Napa and married at a romantic ceremony in 2023. Besides supporting Patrick on tour, she also utilizes her background in pharmacy for her career.
Teil Duncan Henley, Team USA
Russell Henley attributes much of his success to his wife, artist Teil Duncan Henley. Since meeting in 2013, they’ve built a family together, balancing art and life seamlessly.
Olivia Pete, Team Europe
British tennis player Olivia Pete is dating Swedish golfer Ludvig Åberg. Meeting at Texas Tech, she has continued to thrive, sharing their journey on social media with her growing following.
The couple currently resides in Ponte Vedra, Florida, enjoying their lives together.
