As golf fans eagerly await the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, on-course data experts Shot Scope dive into the data behind European and American golfers. In each team, there are 3500 randomly selected golfers, belonging to six different handicap benchmarks: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30hcp (500 per benchmark). Who comes out on top in the biggest match play of the millennium? Find out below!
This match highlights the raw power difference between the two teams.
- Winner: USA
- Data: 246 yds vs 230 yds - Team USA comes out on top, with a Performance-Average difference of 16yds. P-Avg. is Shot Scope’s distance metric which removes extreme outliers from the data set to give golfers a distance that a well-struck shot will travel.
Accuracy off the tee is crucial for setting up scoring opportunities.
- Winner: EUR
- Data 49% vs 48% - Team EUR shows a slight edge in finding the fairways, a 1% difference, but golf is a game of margins after all.
Minimizing the number of lost balls per round is vital for maintaining momentum.
- Winner: EUR
- Data: (1.62 vs 1.08) - Team EUR loses 0.54 fewer balls off the tee per round compared to their American counterparts.
Hitting greens in regulation is a cornerstone of consistent scoring.
- Winner: USA
- Data: 6 per round vs 5 per round - Team USA averages 34% GIR per round versus Team EUR’s 27%. Stronger iron play leads to more birdie chances.
This close-range approach skill is vital for birdie opportunities.
- Result: Tie
- Data: 33ft vs 33ft - Both teams are equally precise from 50 yards, indicating a similar level of touch and feel around the greens.
A key scoring distance, proficiency here can make or break a round.
- Winner: EUR
- Data: 51ft vs 54ft - Team EUR is marginally better from 100 yards, suggesting a slight edge in wedge play.
The ability to save par from tricky situations is a true test of short game.
- Winner: EUR
- Data: 33% vs 30% - Team EUR gets up and down every 1 in 3 attempts, narrowly beating Team USA by 3%.
Escaping bunkers is crucial for avoiding costly dropped shots.
- Winner: USA
- Data: 18% vs 17% - Team USA wins by the finest of margins, with both teams close to 1 in 5 odds of making a sand save.
Minimizing three-putts is crucial for maintaining a low score.
- Winner: USA
- Data: 2.38 vs 2.42 - Team USA is better at avoiding costly three-putts, suggesting slightly more putting prowess, particularly on longer putts.
Short putts are a significant factor in matchplay, whether it be to halve or win a hole, making them is essential.
- Winner: EUR
- Data: 54% vs 51% - Team EUR shows a marginal advantage at making short putts, which can be a massive confidence booster, and momentum builder/swinger.
Converting opportunities into birdies is key for scoring and winning matches.
- Winner: USA
- Data: 0.9 vs 0.7 per round - Team USA narrowly comes out on top with their team of 3500 amateurs making 0.9 birdies per round.
Avoiding big numbers is crucial to avoid giving holes away cheaply.
- Winner: EUR
- Data: 4.13 vs 3.38 per round - When it comes to avoiding the costly double bogeys or worse, Team Europe has fewer per round.
Based on Shot Scope’s 12 statistical matchups, Team Europe’s amateurs come out on top with a hard-fought 6.5-5.5 victory over Team USA. With it coming down to the wire, could this suggest we are in for a close Ryder Cup? Of the stats included, the ones that always make you a tough opponent to play against in matchplay are hitting fairways and greens in regulation, as well as holing the tricky short range putts.
On the other hand, Team USA’s amateurs show their strength in driving distance and avoiding costly three-putts; Europe's consistency across key scoring areas proved to be the difference-maker. With the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black drawing closer, anticipation continues to build as the golfing world gets ready to witness the world's best battle it out.
If you use a Shot Scope performance tracking product, whether it be a GPS watch or laser rangefinder, your data has likely contributed to this article! Were you on the winning team? Get ready for an unforgettable display at the 2025 Ryder Cup.