Cameron Young has been anticipating this moment for nearly 11 years.
It was back when he was just 16 that the announcement came: Beth Page Black would host the 2025 Ryder Cup.
Growing up in Scarborough, Westchester County, he immersed himself in golf at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club, where his father served as head pro for two decades. Young had intended to attend the 2023 Ryder Cup but was overlooked by then-captain Zack Johnson.
This time around, current Captain Keegan Bradley had no option but to include him in the lineup after Young emerged as one of the top players worldwide by the end of summer.
The stage was set for a Friday afternoon four-ball session, where Young teamed up with Justin Thomas, Ludvig Aberg, and Rasmus Hojgaard.
This was Young’s first Ryder Cup match, contrasting with Thomas, who had already participated in four, where he decisively outplayed the Europeans 6 & 5.
Young performed exceptionally well, and given his recent form, it was evident that not playing him during the morning Four Therm session was a mistake by Bradley. He stood out as the top American player on Friday.
“It’s pretty special,” Young shared. “This place means a lot to me. I’m part of a team that worked hard to get here, and playing in front of these fans with [Thomas] is something I’ll cherish.”
Flashback to 2014, shortly after Beth Page’s announcement; Young was on a plane from Scotland after helping the U.S. secure victory in the Junior Ryder Cup. He had mentioned to his parents back then that he aimed to participate in this Ryder Cup someday.
Moments like Saturday’s highlight the magic of sports.
“I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks, but honestly, it’s been a long wait,” Young reflected. “It’s emotional, exciting, and there are nerves, but having a great partner by my side really helped.”
He became a local sensation.
Thomas was visibly impressed by Young’s performance during the match.
“I just sat back and watched the show,” Thomas noted. “I tried to assist in any way I could. I’m incredibly proud of Cam. Competing in your first Ryder Cup is tough, especially with your home crowd, and he played like a seasoned pro.”
Young’s birdie on No. 2 gave the U.S. its first lead, and his birdie on the 9th took them to a three-up advantage at the turn.
He maintained his momentum on hole 12, where he went up five and effectively sealed the match with a birdie on No. 13.
Young previously clinched the New York State Open in 2017 as an amateur at Beth Page Black, posting a 64 in the final round and winning in a playoff. It’s likely he could have bettered that score, he was in such good form.
Thomas described Young’s performance as “epic.”
“I’m incredibly proud of Cam,” Thomas emphasized. “It’s hard to convey just how challenging it is to play with those kinds of nerves in front of your home crowd.”
The following day, Young was set to compete in a foursome match alongside Bryson DeChambeau against Matt Fitzpatrick and Rudy Guede.
Bradley praised Young’s performance, calling it “really cool,” adding, “He’s playing at his home course, and I was truly proud of how he handled himself.”
