While there is a long way to go before the first tee shot is hit at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, there are already some names you can almost certainly expect to see in New York.
Injury dependent, the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa should definitely be on the USA side.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm will be leading the charge for Europe. But there is absolutely no question at all that Luke Donald is going to need significant contributions from all 12 players if Europe are going to become the first away side since 2012 to win the Ryder Cup.
The good news is that the early signs in 2025 are looking positive for the Europeans. Sepp Straka clinched The American Express title on the PGA Tour. Meanwhile, Tyrrell Hatton won the Dubai Desert Classic.
Tyrrell Hatton on the brink of locking up his Ryder Cup spot
Hatton had a really impressive 2024 as he won in his first season on LIV Golf, while he secured a record third victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship later in the year.
The Englishman is now up to eighth in the world rankings following his win in Dubai. And speaking on CBS’ The First Cut Podcast, Patrick McDonald claimed that Hatton can now safely book his ticket to New York in September.
“Generally, among the most underrated players in professional golf. He moves up to top 10 in the world, and that’s even with playing his primary golf on a tour that doesn’t get OWGR points,” he said.
“Wins the Alfred Dunhill Links for a third time, wins his fifth Rolex Series event. This one, I believe, his eighth DP World Tour win. And you look at his wins, they’re all pretty big ones. API on the PGA Tour also, that was an all-time Sunday too. Great stuff from him, probably locked up his spot on the Ryder Cup, I don’t think that was in doubt at all. But this certainly helps, and he gets points from this one, I believe it’s 2000 total for a Rolex Series event, and off and running.”
Hatton labelled a top five player in the world after his victory at the Dubai Desert Classic
Certainly, Hatton has to be considered one of the most underrated signings LIV has ever made. Heading into 2024, all of the spotlight – understandably – was on Jon Rahm. And the Spaniard did win the individual title in the league.
But it was Hatton who claimed Legion XIII’s first win, while he genuinely appears to have a chance of qualifying automatically for the Ryder Cup team.
Pablo Larrazabal claimed on X that Hatton is now in the top five in the world.
Meanwhile, Dame Laura Davies has tipped Hatton to contend at the Masters, with Augusta National set to suit him.
It certainly seems entirely possible that Hatton will go into the Ryder Cup with a first major title under his belt.
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