One of the great Ryder Cup comebacks, and a historic European victory, took place last time the Ryder Cup came to New York.
The 2025 Ryder Cup will be played in New York for the first time since 1995, with the Bethpage Black Course hosting the event. Europe demolished Team USA last time, and the Americans are out for revenge at the Ryder Cup in September.
If history is anything to go by, they’re in trouble, as Europe won in dramatic fashion in 1995. Here, we look back at how it all happened.
Ryder Cup Rookie gives Europe their second-ever win in America
The 1995 Ryder Cup comeback by Team Europe was one of the greatest in the tournament’s history. The USA led 9–7 going into the final day, meaning Europe needed 7½ points from the 12 singles matches to win outright.
Five matches in, and Europe couldn’t make any inroads. It was 2 ½ – 2 ½, and USA looked good for the win. But three straight victories for Europe by Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam suddenly moved them one win away.
It came down to the European rookie, Phillip Walton, against Jay Haas. It was Walton’s only match of the 1995 Ryder Cup after he didn’t play Friday or Saturday.
The rookie started strong. He built a 3-up lead early in the rounds as Haas struggled to make birdies. But on the back nine, Haas began chipping away at the lead. By the 16th hole, Walton’s lead was down to one up.
Disaster hit Walton off the 17th tee. He hit his shot into the bunker on the par three as Haas got his ball on the green. But Haas missed his birdie putt and Walton saved par with a clutch up-and-down, preserving his one-up lead.
Haas then needed to win the hole to halve the match and give the U.S. a chance to tie the Ryder Cup. He pushed his drive and was forced to punch out. Meanwhile, Walton reached the green in two, two-putted for bogey, and won the Ryder Cup. It was Europe’s second-ever on American soil.
Bryson DeChambeau’s fighting words capture American feelings ahead of Ryder Cup
After the Open Championship, LIV Golf and YouTube star Bryson DeChambeau had some fighting words ahead of the Ryder Cup. He said Team USA is “tired of losing”, after their humiliation in Rome last time out.
He said, “I hope I can bring a lot of energy, and a tsunami of a crowd that’s going to be rooting for Team USA.”
The last Ryder Cup was an embarrassment for the Americans, which left world number one Scottie Scheffler in tears. Europe jumped to a 4–0 lead in the opening foursomes on Friday morning, and by the end of Day One, Europe led 6½–1½.
Team USA are in familiar territory in front of their home fans and out for revenge. However, a repeat of ‘95 would mean for a crisis for Keegan Bradley’s team.