September 10, 2025 

Welcome to the sixteenth edition of The Tee Sheet - your Wednesday read on what matters in the world of golf right now. During the quieter times of the golf season, we still have some excitement: Rory McIlroy has won again, the Procore has a loaded field this week, we recap the 2025 stat leaders and take a look at the final Ryder Cup rosters… 

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Let’s dive in!

Tournament Recap

McIlroy Seizes the Irish Open…

Rory McIlroy’s victory at the 2025 Amgen Irish Open at The K Club in County Kildare wasn’t just a win - it was a stirring redemption saga wrapped in raw emotion and home-turf magic.

Trailing Joakim Lagergren by four strokes heading into the final day, McIlroy unleashed a phenomenal turnaround. With the gallery standing behind him, he sunk a spectacular 30-foot eagle putt on the 18th to draw level and force an epic playoff - a moment that felt both cinematic and deeply personal (and produced one of the greatest crowd “roars” of the year)…

The playoff was a test of nerve and precision. Both players matched birdies through the first two holes, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion. On the third playoff hole, Lagergren’s ball found the water - an unforgiving finish - while McIlroy delivered a composed, championship-sealing birdie (he played the 18th hole 4 times on Sunday, with a cumulative score of 5-under). With that, he captured his second Irish Open title, nearly a decade after his first. This was McIlroy’s 20th win on the European Tour.

Perspective: What It All Means

From a strategic vantage, McIlroy’s win exemplifies how a top player seizes home turf-advantage and turns emotional energy into performance. While he may have entered the week under the radar compared to earlier season dominance, the final round illustrated poise under pressure - especially that eagle on the 72nd hole - the likes of which separates legends from great players.

For Team Europe, McIlroy’s win couldn’t be more timely. That eagle on 18 and his composure in the playoff were reminders of why he remains Europe’s heartbeat, and the victory injects some momentum just weeks before Bethpage.

The Irish Open gave us one of the best finishes of the year, and it was recognized by all:

Tournament Preview

2025 Procore Championship

As the golf world pivots from Rory McIlroy’s emotional Irish Open triumph, Team USA is clearly looking to set its own narrative of momentum - this time in Napa Valley. The 2025 Procore Championship, serving as the FedExCup Fall Series opener from September 11–14 at Silverado Country Club, isn’t just another event - it’s a strategic tune-up.

Ten of the twelve U.S. Ryder Cup players - including heavyweights like Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Russell Henley, J.J. Spaun, Harris English, Ben Griffin, Sam Burns, Patrick Cantlay, and Cameron Young - are teeing it up in Napa, directly answering criticism of the 2023 U.S. team's sluggish start due to lack of competitive rhythm.

By contrast, Europe’s Ryder Cup talent has been battle-tested through the Irish Open and other European Tour events, carrying real-time form into Bethpage. For Team USA, this week is their collective springboard - strong fields, high stakes, and cohesion under pressure.

Yes, Xander Schauffele has opted out, citing mental fatigue, and Bryson DeChambeau remains banned, but the overwhelming participation creates a powerful rhythm. Scheffler - World No. 1 - will be leading the charge, setting the tone for a united front in Napa.

The Procore offers more than preparation. With a $6 million purse, 500 FedExCup points, a two-year TOUR exemption, and entry into several majors, performances here carry real weight. It’s both a proving ground and a psychological statement - Team USA is rallying together, with the goal of torching any rust that could hinder them at Bethpage.

Ryder Cup

Rosters Have Been Locked for Bethpage…

Since our last Issue, Team USA and Team Europe have announced their 6 captain picks…

Team USA: Bradley’s Statement - Without Himself

Keegan Bradley has made waves - not as a player but as a decision-maker, opting not to be a playing captain, he's selected a compelling mix of seasoned stewards and fresh faces to challenge Europe at Bethpage Black. 

Captain’s Picks: Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay, and Sam Burns.

• Justin Thomas – The heartbeat of the team, his Ryder Cup experience and solid enough season make him a no-brainer

• Collin Morikawa - Another with Ryder Cup experience, although coming off the back of a rather underwhelming season - one to watch for at Bethpage

• Patrick Cantlay – A battle-tested Ryder Cup player with a stellar track record and credible leadership

• Sam Burns – A putting maestro and proven match play competitor

• Ben Griffin – Two-time winner this season who played his way onto this squad with strong showings all year, Ryder Cup rookie

• Cameron Young – Hometown favorite and Bethpage veteran; his local ties and late-season surge earned him the spot 

Automatic Qualifiers: Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau

Bradley doubled down on chemistry, form, and hometown grit. By staying off the team himself, he placed faith in his picks - a selfless move that speaks volumes about his strategic clarity.

Team Europe: Continuity, Composure, and a Dash of Firepower

Luke Donald leaned into stability, naming six picks largely in line with the triumphant Rome 2023 lineup - opting for experience, leadership, and cohesion on and off the course. 

Captain’s Picks: Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Åberg, and Matt Fitzpatrick

• Shane Lowry – A heartfelt pick praised for his leadership and team-first ethos - a seasoned member of Team Europe

• Jon Rahm – Emotional intensity personified; a passionate veteran expected to lead by example who brings competitive fire

• Viktor Hovland – Reliable, talented, and composed - his steady performance under pressure is a strategic asset , along with his strong Ryder Cup in Rome

• Ludvig Åberg – The breakout story from 2023, his rookie impact in Rome earned him another look

• Sepp Straka – Two PGA Tour victories in 2025 mark him as one of the year’s in-form Europeans 

• Matt Fitzpatrick – Came aboard on the back of strong form - announced on his birthday, no less 

Automatic Qualifiers: Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Rasmus Højgaard, and Tyrrell Hatton

Donald’s consistent call - bringing back 11 of 12 players from 2023 - offers coherence in team spirit and matches fluency across formats. But facing Bethpage Black, he's also acknowledged the challenge of performing away, rallying his squad for a different beast of a test. 

2025 Season Review: Stat Leaderboards

Courtesy of the PGA Tour’s stat keeping, we’ve aggregated some fun leaderboards and stat summaries from the 2025 season. What surprises you in the below?

Strokes Gained: Total

1. Scottie Scheffler (2.67)

2. Tommy Fleetwood (1.63)

3. Rory McIlroy (1.54)

4. Russell Henley (1.30)

5. Harry Hall (1.18)

6. Justin Thomas (1.12)

7. Ben Griffin (1.11)

8. Sepp Straka (1.07)

9. Patrick Cantlay (1.06)

10. JJ Spaun (1.05)

Scoring Average

1. Scottie Scheffler (68.14)

2. Rory McIlroy (69.08)

3. Tommy Fleetwood (69.36)

4. Russell Henley (69.72)

5. Harry Hall (69.76)

6. Ben Griffin (69.83)

7. JJ Spaun (69.88)

8. Robert MacIntyre (69.90)

9. Justin Thomas (70.05)

10. Sepp Straka (70.05)

Strokes Gained: Putting

1. Sam Burns (0.924) - 80 Rounds

2. Harry Hall (0.881) - 84 Rounds

3. Taylor Montgomery (0.854) - 41 Rounds

4. Sam Ryder (0.686) - 63 Rounds

5. Denny McCarthy (0.656) - 78 Rounds

6. Cameron Young (0.637) - 77 Rounds

7. Nico Echavarria (0.630) - 63 Rounds

8. Rory McIlroy (0.597) - 50 Rounds

9. Brandt Snedeker (0.558) - 43 Rounds

10. Sami Valimaki (0.545) - 62 Rounds

Consecutive Cuts Made (As of 9/8/25)

1. Xander Schauffele (71)

2. Scottie Scheffler (63)

3. Corey Conners (19)

4. Harry Hall (17)

5. Sam Burns (15)

6. Harris English (15)

7. Robert MacIntyre (15)

8. Viktor Hovland (13)

9. Vince Whaley (12)

10. Matt Fitzpatrick (11)

Lowest Rounds

1. Jake Knapp (59) - Round 1, Cognizant Classic

2. Kurt Kitayama (60) - Round 3, 3M Open

3. Adam Svensson (60) - Round 1, 3M Open

4. 11 Players Tied 4th (61) - Joel Dahmen (Wyndham), Cristobal Del Solar (RBC Canadian), Chris Gotterup (Genesis Scottish), Russell Henley (Tour Championship), Chan Kim (Isco), Keith Mitchell (Truist), William Mouw (Isco), Thorbjorn Olesen (RBC Canadian), Aldrich Potgieter (Mexico Open), Scottie Scheffler (CJ Cup), Justin Thomas (RBC Heritage)

Total Birdies

1. Harry Hall (429)

2. Sam Burns (377)

3. Ben Griffin (376)

4. Si Woo Kim (364)

5. Sungjae Im (362)

6. Chris Gotterup (356)

7. Cameron Young (352)

8. Scottie Scheffler (350)

9. Sam Stevens (346)

10. Akshay Bhatia & Jacob Bridgeman (345)

Author’s Note

As the dust settles on Rory’s stirring Irish Open win and Team USA assembles en masse at the Procore, it’s worth remembering that golf doesn’t really have an “off” switch anymore - it simply shifts gears.

Yes, the fall schedule may not carry the glamour of Augusta or the Majors, but it’s in these weeks that storylines are built, players find form, and momentum quietly hardens into confidence. This is when Ryder Cup edges are honed, and new names seize the oxygen usually reserved for the game’s giants.

Think of this as golf’s deep cut album: less headline, more substance, with just as much to savor if you’re listening closely.

So stay with us. We’ll keep digging into the threads that matter, spotlighting the rising stories, and holding a light to what matters. Slow period? Not really. Just a different rhythm. Bethpage soon.