AR
With roots dating back to 1927, The Ryder Cup is the biennial contest between Europe and the United States. Led by experienced captains who play a central role in nurturing group chemistry and putting team spirit above all else, 12-player combinations compete over three days for the coveted Samuel Ryder Trophy.
Hosted alternately by the PGA of America and Ryder Cup Europe, this year’s edition marks a significant anniversary and milestone within the sport. It is the 45th edition of The Ryder Cup, and 30 years since Rolex first partnered with the competition in 1995 as Official Timekeeper of Team Europe.
TEAM EUROPE CELEBRATE WINNING THE RYDER CUP 2023
In 2025, The Ryder Cup will be held at the revered Bethpage Black Golf Course, USA, from 26–28 September, where both teams will strive to continue the tradition of team spirit and fierce competition that defines this prestigious event. Bethpage Black is one of the most iconic golf courses in the United States and is located in suburban Long Island, in close proximity to New York City.
Synonymous with tradition, teamwork and sportsmanship, The Ryder Cup honours the collective, with some of the finest champions in the game channelling their special talent for the greater achievement of the group. Fierce battles are waged with utmost respect between opponents, and intergenerational solidarity and camaraderie are at a premium. There is passion and drama aplenty. One of golf’s most sought-after prizes, The Ryder Cup enshrines the traditional values of excellence and fair play that are the essence of the sport, and which echo Rolex’s own defining philosophy. In 2021, the Swiss watchmaker extended its support to become a Worldwide Partner at all editions of the competition, in both Europe and the United States, and Presenting Partner of the weekly Ryder Cup Points Standings that determine player qualification.
With a storied history at The Ryder Cup, Rolex Testimonee Luke Donald will once again serve as the European captain at Bethpage Black, returning to the role having successfully led Team Europe to a 16.5–11.5 victory against the United States in the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy. As a player, Donald represented Team Europe on four occasions, with the team winning every time. In his last appearance, in 2012, he led Team Europe out in the singles, securing the first blue point on the board in the so-called Miracle at Medinah. He has also served as a vice-captain in two past editions, including in 2018 under fellow Testimonee Thomas Bjørn.
Luke Donald – the 2023 & 2025 Ryder Cup Team Europe Captain – Getty Images
Reflecting on the importance of his victory in his debut year as captain in 2023, Luke Donald said:
“To be able to have an opportunity to go back-to-back — as only the second European to ever do that — and create more history, is very tempting to me. Winning away from home isn’t easy, so it will be a big challenge ahead, but I’m really excited about the opportunity.”
Keegan Bradley – the 2025 Ryder Cup Team USA Captain – Mike Stobe
Captaining the United States is Rolex Testimonee Keegan Bradley, who made the first of his two Ryder Cup appearances as a player in 2012 at the Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois. Commenting on the significance of leading Team USA on home soil in 2025, Keegan Bradley said:
“I’m incredibly humbled and honoured to be The Ryder Cup captain for Team USA. Being on a Ryder Cup team changes your life forever. The dream of being a Ryder Cup captain is something that a lot of us don’t even think about because it’s such a prestigious honour — and I never knew if I would get this opportunity. I always felt like this was something I would love to do, and I’m so honoured to be able to lead this team and go to Bethpage to win The Ryder Cup back for America.”
Showcasing passion and drama in equal measure, The Ryder Cup is golf at its very best, featuring champions from both sides of the Atlantic. Among them will be Rolex Testimonee Scottie Scheffler, who arrives at Bethpage Black in exceptional form — a testament to his composure, determination and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Scottie Scheffler – 153rd Open Championship in 2025, Royal Portrush – Oisin Keniry/R&A
Reflecting on his admiration for The Ryder Cup, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler said:
“Golf is an individual sport for many weeks of the year, but when it comes to The Ryder Cup, all of us are joined together representing the United States, which is a pretty special feeling. It’s a week that is so fun for all of us, being able to play together and be partners. It’s a pretty unique thing in our game. Being able to play alternate shot and best ball, and work together to try and bring the trophy back home to the United States, is something that we are all really looking forward to doing at Bethpage this autumn.”
The first tee is a stage unlike any other in international sport. Each edition of this unique competition brings hundreds of thousands of spectators to the course and attracts millions of television viewers worldwide. Golf’s most exciting team event is always intense, raising the passions of players and fans alike as the drama unfolds. It has inspired some of the most memorable duels for nearly a century and perpetuates the very legend of golf. It is defined by the crowd filling the grandstands, the noise, the anticipation and the palpable nerves.
By hosting the 45th Ryder Cup, Bethpage Black Golf Course becomes the second-ever New York course to stage this prestigious event. While this is the course’s first time hosting a Ryder Cup, Bethpage Black has staged numerous major championships, including the 2019 PGA Championship.
Rolex’s relationship with The Ryder Cup is rooted in the shared values of integrity and respect. These ideals were exemplified in one of the competition’s most iconic moments: the 1969 Ryder Cup, when Rolex Testimonee Jack Nicklaus conceded a short putt to his opponent, securing a tie rather than a win for Team USA. This act of honour and fairness marked the invention of the concession and became a defining symbol of the spirit in which the game should be played. It remains one of the most admired gestures in sport and reflects the enduring commitment Rolex has made to upholding golf’s finest traditions.
Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media
Main Image: Supplied Rolex
