Although they are currently behind at +155, I believe that the Europeans will win at Bethpage. According to FanDuel.
Here are my long-winded reasons as to why I feel this way now, 9 months later.
On the US side, it's all about money and money, $200,000 here, $300,000 there. Will all the money be donated to charity? Or will it remain in your pocket? Whatever happens with that extra money, it's a bad look and taints a favorite American team that features two of the best players in the world in Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele.
On the other hand, the Europeans said: would pay To earn the right to play in the Ryder Cup. For them, it's more than just a competition.
Look at what happened in Abu Dhabi last week.
Tommy Fleetwood helped coach Great Britain and Ireland Conquer the continent of Europe in the Ryder Cup Preview of Hero Team Cup. This event not only instills a match play mindset among Europeans, but also helps Euro sides identify promising talent to thrive in these formats. Tom McKibbin, Aaron Rye, and Rasmus Højgaard come to mind. Perhaps the U.S. team will need to adopt something similar. The Hero Team Cup is only held during the Ryder Cup and was established in 2023. Is it a coincidence? I don't think so!
Many of the players who played in the Team Cup are competing in this week's Hero Dubai Desert Classic, which can only help the overall camaraderie. I remember the 2023 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, where all 12 players competing in Rome played together.
Before that event, the Europeans flew to Rome for a scouting trip and were greeted by a great opera at the first tee. Tears were streaming down the faces of the players, and everyone looked overcome with emotion. The Ryder Cup is everything to them. No wonder Luke Donald returns as captain in 2025.
This week, the leading European players in the Team Cup are joined by Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy, two of the best Euros of their generation. Rahm and McIlroy have combined for 25.5 points in 10 games and will once again be a formidable force on Long Island. They won't be intimidated by rowdy New Yorkers. They feed off of it.
Everyone has been talking about the Ryder Cup in Dubai this week as well, with Rahm in particular saying he's “going to Bethpage” despite the sanctions imposed against him by the DP World Tour. You know the team needs Rahm as much as DPWT needs Rahm. So it will be a shock not to see him play. It would be foolish to take him away from the team.
But what stood out to me most from Tuesday's press conference were Fleetwood's comments about Jose María Olazabal. European teams are always impressed by the long-lasting bonds between players that extend across generations. From Seve Ballesteros to Ludwig Oberg and beyond, that harmony will continue for decades to come.
Fleetwood said of Olazabal:
“[Jose María] It's always been really great since the early days of touring. I played with him at the Italian Open and some events, and he gave me really good advice about my game situations. I remember playing with him, I can't remember where, but I think it was six or seven months later. At the end of the round he shook my hand. Then he told me I was better than what he told me. We need to improve,” Fleetwood said.
“Look, one of my favorite moments of the Ryder Cup in Rome was when we hugged each other on the 17th hole, and he said some really kind words about me.
“You should look [the Team Cup] Last week, we talked about Seve and how he captivated the team room. He is someone I truly respect and admire both as a person and as a golfer. ”
It's been nine months since the season started, and even though the 12-team squad isn't even close to being formed yet, the European camaraderie is already much stronger than the American team. This should intimidate the Red, White and Blue supporters while at the same time giving a healthy dose of confidence to the visiting underdogs.
Indeed, Road's Ryder Cup team hasn't won since 2012. The Europeans broke the hearts of the home team in Medina on Sunday. But I believe this is the year of drought. The atmosphere will be tough, but all signs point to the road team coming out victorious at Bethpage Black.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.
Tommy Fleetwood’s Ryder Cup comments make us believe Europe will win at Bethpage
Although they are currently behind at +155, I believe that the Europeans will win at Bethpage. According to FanDuel.
Here are my long-winded reasons as to why I feel this way now, 9 months later.
On the US side, it's all about money and money, $200,000 here, $300,000 there. Will all the money be donated to charity? Or will it remain in your pocket? Whatever happens with that extra money, it's a bad look and taints a favorite American team that features two of the best players in the world in Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele.
On the other hand, the Europeans said: would pay To earn the right to play in the Ryder Cup. For them, it's more than just a competition.
Look at what happened in Abu Dhabi last week.
Tommy Fleetwood helped coach Great Britain and Ireland Conquer the continent of Europe in the Ryder Cup Preview of Hero Team Cup. This event not only instills a match play mindset among Europeans, but also helps Euro sides identify promising talent to thrive in these formats. Tom McKibbin, Aaron Rye, and Rasmus Højgaard come to mind. Perhaps the U.S. team will need to adopt something similar. The Hero Team Cup is only held during the Ryder Cup and was established in 2023. Is it a coincidence? I don't think so!
Many of the players who played in the Team Cup are competing in this week's Hero Dubai Desert Classic, which can only help the overall camaraderie. I remember the 2023 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, where all 12 players competing in Rome played together.
Before that event, the Europeans flew to Rome for a scouting trip and were greeted by a great opera at the first tee. Tears were streaming down the faces of the players, and everyone looked overcome with emotion. The Ryder Cup is everything to them. No wonder Luke Donald returns as captain in 2025.
This week, the leading European players in the Team Cup are joined by Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy, two of the best Euros of their generation. Rahm and McIlroy have combined for 25.5 points in 10 games and will once again be a formidable force on Long Island. They won't be intimidated by rowdy New Yorkers. They feed off of it.
Everyone has been talking about the Ryder Cup in Dubai this week as well, with Rahm in particular saying he's “going to Bethpage” despite the sanctions imposed against him by the DP World Tour. You know the team needs Rahm as much as DPWT needs Rahm. So it will be a shock not to see him play. It would be foolish to take him away from the team.
But what stood out to me most from Tuesday's press conference were Fleetwood's comments about Jose María Olazabal. European teams are always impressed by the long-lasting bonds between players that extend across generations. From Seve Ballesteros to Ludwig Oberg and beyond, that harmony will continue for decades to come.
Fleetwood said of Olazabal:
“[Jose María] It's always been really great since the early days of touring. I played with him at the Italian Open and some events, and he gave me really good advice about my game situations. I remember playing with him, I can't remember where, but I think it was six or seven months later. At the end of the round he shook my hand. Then he told me I was better than what he told me. We need to improve,” Fleetwood said.
“Look, one of my favorite moments of the Ryder Cup in Rome was when we hugged each other on the 17th hole, and he said some really kind words about me.
“You should look [the Team Cup] Last week, we talked about Seve and how he captivated the team room. He is someone I truly respect and admire both as a person and as a golfer. ”
It's been nine months since the season started, and even though the 12-team squad isn't even close to being formed yet, the European camaraderie is already much stronger than the American team. This should intimidate the Red, White and Blue supporters while at the same time giving a healthy dose of confidence to the visiting underdogs.
Indeed, Road's Ryder Cup team hasn't won since 2012. The Europeans broke the hearts of the home team in Medina on Sunday. But I believe this is the year of drought. The atmosphere will be tough, but all signs point to the road team coming out victorious at Bethpage Black.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.
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