Robert MacIntyre hits off the third tee during the practice round on the first day of competition for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
Patrick Cantlay plays his shot from the 12th tee during a practice round of the Ryder Cup golf tournament at Bethpage Black.

The 2025 Ryder Cup is right around the corner.

Twelve of the best Americans will take on their counterparts from Europe beginning Friday, Sept. 26, at Bethpage Black, with the USA looking to take back the Ryder Cup after Europe had a controlling victory in Rome two years ago.

There are plenty of familiar faces back for both teams this year, but which golfers are the most pivotal to their squad's success in this Ryder Cup?

Golfweek's Adam Schupak and Cameron Jourdan take a look at the 12 most important players on Team USA and Europe in the 2025 Ryder Cup:

Ryder Cup 2025 power rankings

12. Robert MacIntyre

The Scot was a rookie in 2023 in Rome and held up admirably but he’s twice the player he used to be. He’s established himself as a PGA Tour winner and climbed to No. 9 in the world. He’s also shown he can handle the big moment, finishing second at the U.S. Open in June. Bobby Mac could be a menace at Bethpage if he doesn’t let the fans get under his skin. -Adam Schupak

11. Tommy Fleetwood

Fleetwood finally has the chains off after breaking through for his first PGA Tour win at the Tour Championship last month. Now he returns to the Ryder Cup, where he has a 7-3-2 record in three competitions with a 4-0-0 mark in foursomes, including two wins with Rory McIlroy in Rome. -Cameron Jourdan

10. Justin Thomas

A captain’s pick for the second straight time and playing in his fourth straight Cup, Thomas is the veteran on the team as strange as that sounds. He owns a 7-4-2 career mark and is undefeated in three singles matches. Is he ready to assume a leadership role? And who does he pair with now that Jordan Spieth, his default partner, isn’t on the team? -AS

9. Justin Rose

Making his sixth Ryder Cup appearance (second most of anyone in this year's competition), Rosie averaged more than 2 ½ points per cup with his 14-9-3 record. And don't let his 1-1-1 record from 2023 fool you. He was a thorn in the USA"s side that week. -CJ

8. Viktor Hovland

He went 0-4-1 in 2021 at Whistling Straits when the Euros were routed 19-9. But he got revenge in Rome, recording a 3-1-1 mark en route to Team Europe’s victory. His game has been a mixed bag and his performance could be the equivalent of a swing vote to determine the winning team. -AS

7. Russell Henley

Go ahead and think about where Russell Henley is in the world rankings. Keep thinking. If you guessed third, you'd be right. Yup, Henley is behind only Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy in OWGR. And the No. 3 player has to show up if the U.S. wants to win the Cup. -CJ

6. Patrick Cantlay

He’s already 1 up in that he’s found a cap this time that fits his odd-shaped head so no more Hat-less Pat this time. Cantlay has been U.S.’s version of Ian Poulter in past Cups, a ruthless assassin who makes the clutch putts. But he didn’t win this season and had a miserable record at the majors, missing the cut in three of them. USA needs him to flip a switch and become his usual match-play savant. -AS

5. Jon Rahm

Rahm has been a force on the European side, especially in foursomes, where he owns a 4-0-0 record. He's got the Spanish flair and a fieriness about him that if he gets hot, watch out. Not a lot is being said about Jon Rahm coming into the week. Perhaps that's a good thing for one of the world's best. -CJ

4. Xander Schauffele

He’s the X-factor – are we going to get Xander, the two-time major champ, or the guy who recorded only one top-10 finish this season? He and Cantlay have been a dynamic duo for the Americans. Can that continue? -AS

3. Scottie Scheffler

No, the world No. 1 is not the most important American, but it goes without saying he needs to have a big week for the red, white and blue to succeed. His coming-out party was at the Ryder Cup in 2021 when he beat Jon Rahm in singles. If he can have another big performance on the team stage this week, advantage USA. -CJ

2. Bryson DeChambeau

He’s promised to bring a lot of energy and a “tsunami of a crowd that’s going to be rooting for America.” He better deliver or else there will be some credibility to Brandel Chamblee’s claim that DeChambeau is a “Captain’s nightmare.” -AS

1. Rory McIlroy

Earlier this year, McIlroy stated his goals left for his golf career were to win the Masters (check), win an away Ryder Cup (TBD) and win an Olympic gold medal (next chance in 2028). He's the heart and soul of the European team. They will ride his highs and lows. If Europe wants to win in America for the first time in 13 years, it starts with Rory. -CJ

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Ranking the 12 most important players for Team USA and Europe in the 2025 Ryder Cup

Reporting by Cameron Jourdan and Adam Schupak, Golfweek / Golfweek

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