Sepp Straka is edging closer to locking in his spot on Team Europe for the 2025 Ryder Cup, thanks to a clutch victory at the Truist Championship. His two-shot win over Shane Lowry not only earned him a key boost in the European Ryder Cup standings—moving up to fifth with 942.73 points—but also marked him as a serious contender for his second consecutive Ryder Cup appearance. Despite the momentum, Straka isn’t overly optimistic about Europe’s chances when the showdown hits American soil.
In a candid interview with *EssentiallySports*, Straka didn’t sugarcoat his outlook when asked about Europe’s odds at Bethpage Black. *“Yeah, it’s going to be hard. Uh, it’s going to be really hard,”* he admitted, pointing to the immense challenge of facing a powerful U.S. squad in one of the most intense venues in golf.
And there’s plenty of reason for caution. Team USA is led by World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who just claimed his third major at the 2025 PGA Championship and is on a redemption mission after his underwhelming Ryder Cup showing in 2023. He’s joined by Xander Schauffele, who is back in form with two major wins, and Bryson DeChambeau, whose power and energy could give the Americans an edge in the team room.
New York Fans Add Another Layer
For Straka, it’s not just about the players—it’s the fans. Bethpage Black in New York is infamous for its demanding course and even more demanding crowd. *“New York sports fans are notorious for being really passionate,”* Straka said. *“It’s always hard to win away.”* With organizers deploying crowd monitors to control the energy, even Team USA captain Keegan Bradley has acknowledged the importance of keeping things respectful.
Straka’s Eyes Still on the Prize
Despite the uphill battle, Straka remains focused. His top goal for the year is to make the European squad. *“I’ve never been a part of an away Ryder Cup,”* he said. *“That’s my number one goal this year. And I think we’ve got a lot of really good players playing some good golf right now.”*
Captain Donald Encouraged by Rising Form
European captain Luke Donald is optimistic. With Straka joining Rory McIlroy as a multiple-time winner this season, and five European players landing in the top 10 at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, the depth is undeniable. Donald praised his squad’s rising form, saying, *“It’s always nice when potential guys on your team are up there every week… The players always seem to elevate their games in Ryder Cup years.”*
As the countdown to September begins, the European team has momentum—but they’ll need more than just solid play to overcome the challenge of a fiery Team USA and the roar of the New York crowd.