Ryder Cup

Sunday Singles Drama: Ryder Cup 2025 Reaches Breaking Point

Justin Rimpi

Here we are on Sunday morning at Bethpage Black, and if you’re an American golf fan, you might want to keep that coffee extra strong. The United States Ryder Cup team finds itself in a deep hole, trailing Europe 11.5-4.5 heading into the final day of singles matches. Can they make history at Bethpage Black?

The Unthinkable Ryder Cup Deficit

Let’s be brutally honest here – this isn’t just a deficit, it’s a beatdown of epic proportions. Europe needs a measly 2.5 points to retain the cup, while Team USA needs a miracle that would make Moses parting the Red Sea look like a weekend magic trick. The Americans need 10 points from 12 singles matches, something that’s never been done in modern Ryder Cup history.

Captain Keegan Bradley tried channeling his inner Patriots fan with a “28-3” reference to the Super Bowl comeback, but here’s the thing – golf isn’t football, and there’s no Tom Brady walking through that clubhouse door.

Scheffler vs. McIlroy: The Marquee Matchup

The crown jewel of Sunday’s singles action features world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler taking on Rory McIlroy at 12:35 p.m. It is the kind of pairing that gets golf fans salivating, except Scheffler has been about as effective as a screen door on a submarine this week.

The usually unflappable Scheffler sits at 0-4 through two days – yes, you read that right. The guy who’s been virtually unbeatable all year has turned into the Ryder Cup equivalent of the Washington Generals. Meanwhile, McIlroy has been dealing with hostile crowds like a seasoned politician, going 3-0-1 while keeping his cool better than a penguin in Antarctica.

America’s Star Power Goes Missing

Speaking of disappearing acts, where exactly have America’s superstars gone? Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau combined for a stunning 1-7-0 record heading into Sunday. That’s not a typo – that’s a disaster. DeChambeau, who spent the year crushing drives and egos on LIV Golf, has looked more lost than a tourist in Times Square. The betting odds reflect this brutal reality. McIlroy sits as a +120 underdog against Scheffler’s -145, but anyone who’s watched this week knows those numbers feel backwards.

The Road Back From Hell

For context, no team has ever won more than 8.5 points in Sunday singles. The Americans need 10. It is like asking someone to hit a 400-yard drive uphill into a hurricane – theoretically possible, but you wouldn’t bet your mortgage on it.

Europe’s commanding lead represents the largest deficit heading into Sunday singles in modern Ryder Cup history. Captain Luke Donald’s squad isn’t just playing well; they’re playing like they’ve got the golf gods on speed dial.

Singles Matchups That Matter

Beyond the Scheffler-McIlroy showdown, keep your eyes on:

  • Tommy Fleetwood vs. Justin Thomas (12:13 p.m.): Fleetwood sits perfect at 4-0-0, while Thomas needs to find his mojo fast
  • Jon Rahm vs. Xander Schauffele (12:57 p.m.): Two players who know how to deliver under pressure
  • Bryson DeChambeau vs. Matt Fitzpatrick (12:24 p.m.): DeChambeau desperately needs something positive from this week

The Envelope Drama

Adding another layer to this soap opera, Viktor Hovland’s neck injury has triggered the rare “Envelope Rule.” If he can’t play against Harris English, both teams get a half-point, and the match becomes a footnote. It’s been used only three times since 1979 – about as rare as finding a parking spot at Augusta National.

Reality Check

Look, miracles happen in sports. Leicester City won the Premier League. The Cubs won the World Series. But this American team would need every single player to channel their inner Tiger Woods circa 2019 Masters Sunday.

The math is simple: Europe can practically sleepwalk to victory at the Ryder Cup, while America needs perfection from a group that has looked anything but perfect for 48 hours. Sunday’s singles will determine whether this becomes a historic European triumph or the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history. Based on what we’ve seen, start practicing your British accent.

Justin has been a sportswriter for nearly a decade. He has previously written for 247 Sports an Sports Illustrated.

More Great Content