The Ryder Cup, golf’s most electric team event, has arrived at Bethpage Black in New York. This year, the biennial clash between the United States and Europe carries a special subplot for Bulldog Nation: four participants with deep ties to the University of Georgia are part of the action. Harris English and Russell Henley represent Team USA as players, Kevin Kisner serves as an American vice captain, and Sepp Straka lines up for Team Europe. Together, they underscore UGA’s lasting influence on the global game.
Harris English: Steady Veteran for Team USA
Valdosta native Harris English (b. 1989) first made his mark as a standout for the Georgia Bulldogs before turning professional in 2011. Over the course of his PGA Tour career, English has collected multiple victories, highlighted by a resurgence in form that saw him finish runner-up at The Open in 2025 and climb to one of his highest world rankings.
English is no stranger to the Ryder Cup. He debuted in 2021 at Whistling Straits, finishing with a record of 1–2–0. This year, he secured his place on Team USA by finishing among the automatic qualifiers with more than 10,800 points, a testament to his consistent play across the season. Known for his calm demeanor and sharp ball striking, English brings a blend of experience and confidence to a U.S. squad eager to reclaim the Cup.
Russell Henley: Bulldog Rookie on Golf’s Biggest Stage
Russell Henley (b. 1989), from Macon, Georgia, starred at UGA between 2007 and 2011. His college career included the prestigious Haskins Award in 2010, given to the nation’s top collegiate golfer. After turning professional in 2011, Henley quickly made headlines by winning on the Korn Ferry Tour as an amateur and later notching multiple PGA Tour victories. His career total now stands at five PGA Tour wins, with the most recent — the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational — serving as a statement of his elite form.
This week at Bethpage marks Henley’s Ryder Cup debut. Though a rookie, he enters with strong credentials, including top-10 finishes in recent majors. His composure under pressure and a proven ability to make clutch putts give Team USA another reliable option in foursomes and fourballs. While his Ryder Cup record is yet to be written, Henley’s momentum suggests he will be one to watch.
Sepp Straka: Europe’s Austrian Bulldog
On the European side, Sepp Straka (b. 1993) adds a unique twist to the Georgia storyline. Born in Vienna, Austria, Straka moved to Valdosta, Georgia, as a teenager and later played for the Bulldogs while completing his business degree. He turned professional in 2016 and has steadily risen into one of Europe’s key contributors.
Straka owns four PGA Tour victories, including The American Express and Truist Championship in 2025. He also made history in 2022 as the first Austrian to win on the PGA Tour at the Honda Classic. His major championship resume features a tie for second at The Open in 2023, cementing his reputation as a world-class competitor.
At the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, Straka compiled a 1–2–0 record in three matches, including a loss in singles. Returning for his second appearance in 2025, he is again part of Captain Luke Donald’s strategy to blend rookies with experienced players. With his U.S. upbringing and European allegiance, Straka embodies the global reach of the Ryder Cup — and ensures UGA’s legacy stretches across both sides.
Kevin Kisner: Match-Play Specialist in a Leadership Role
While Kevin Kisner won’t tee it up this week, his presence as a U.S. vice captain adds another Bulldog voice inside the team room. Kisner was part of Georgia’s 2005 NCAA Championship team and has since carved out a successful professional career with four PGA Tour wins. His crowning achievement came at the 2019 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, where he proved his tactical savvy in head-to-head competition.
Named as a vice captain by U.S. skipper Keegan Bradley in January 2025, Kisner brings years of match-play experience and a reputation for grit. His role will be to advise on pairings, strategy, and morale — an invaluable behind-the-scenes presence as the Americans face the pressure of Bethpage’s boisterous crowds.
Georgia’s Lasting Impact
The 2025 Ryder Cup is a showcase of golf’s best talent, but for Bulldog fans, it’s also a celebration of Georgia’s imprint on the sport. With English and Henley chasing points for Team USA, Straka striving to deliver for Europe, and Kisner guiding from the sidelines, the University of Georgia will be woven into the drama of Bethpage Black.
Whether in victory or defeat, the Bulldogs’ collective presence is a reminder that the fairways of Athens, Georgia, continue to shape champions on golf’s biggest stage.
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