As Official Health and Fitness Wearable of the Ryder Cup, WHOOP delivered real-time insights into the physical and mental demands of golf’s greatest stage
WHOOP, the human performance company, redefined how fans experienced one of the most celebrated events in sports when the 2025 Ryder Cup took place at the iconic Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, from September 26–28.
As the Official Health and Fitness Wearable of the Ryder Cup, WHOOP brought the science of elite performance directly to fans, offering unprecedented, real-time access to the heart rates and physiological data of the world’s best golfers competing under the highest pressure imaginable.
Through WHOOP Live on NBC, viewers saw heart rate data from United States and European Team Members, including Justin Thomas, Tyrrell Hatton, and Ben Griffin, as well as captains Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald. For the first time, audiences witnessed, in the very moment, the intensity, resilience, and mental fortitude required to perform on golf’s greatest stage.
“The Ryder Cup is the ultimate arena for pressure, rivalry, and performance at the highest level,” said John Sullivan, Chief Marketing Officer at WHOOP.
“This is where WHOOP shines: helping athletes understand how to prepare, recover, and perform, while giving fans unparalleled insight into what it truly takes to compete when everything is on the line.”
Amplifying the moment
In addition to WHOOP Live integrations in NBC’s broadcast, WHOOP launched a comprehensive multi-channel marketing activation that included social media campaigns, brand media placements, press activity, and strategic partnerships. Fans saw engaging content throughout the competition that brought the behind-the-scenes reality of the Ryder Cup to life.
“The Ryder Cup continually delivers unmatched energy and drama on golf’s biggest stage, and WHOOP now gives spectators a front row seat to the science of elite performance,” said Jeff Price, Chief Commercial Officer of the PGA of America. “Together, we are bringing viewers closer to the intensity of golf’s greatest team event than ever before.”
“Golf is an incredibly data rich sport, and this new partnership with WHOOP provides fans with new and unprecedented insights into how the world’s best players manage the demands of playing in golf’s greatest team contest,” added Richard Atkinson, Chief Ryder Cup Officer at Ryder Cup Europe.
WHOOP data insights from the Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy
- 1% recovery the day after the tournament ended, illustrating the immense physiological toll of elite competition mixed with proper celebrations following a huge win.
- Opened the Ryder Cup strong with a green recovery, 49 bpm resting heart rate (RHR), and 80%+ sleep performance, showing he was primed for peak performance.
Justin Thomas
- 135 bpm heart rate on the 18th hole of his singles match, tied with everything on the line. With HR Peaking at 159bpm as he celebrated a much needed putt to keep the US in the fight.
- Team USA needed wins across the board to stay alive and ties weren’t enough. Thomas delivered, sticking his approach and sinking the clutch putt.
Luke Donald
- Spent over 8 hours in high stress on the final day of the Cup, underscoring the pressure of leading his team in one of golf’s most intense settings.
- It’s not just the athletes whose physiology is tested, even captains feel the immense strain of leadership under the world’s spotlight.
Collective Team Data (WHOOP Insights)
- Europe: 59% recovery, 80% sleep going into final day
- USA: 55% recovery, 70% sleep going into final day
Shared performance averages across both teams after first 2 days
- Strain: 17.5
- Steps: 22,879
- Stress: 2.5
Why it matters
The Ryder Cup is as much a test of endurance and recovery as it is of skill. WHOOP captured the hidden side of performance, revealing how players’ bodies respond to the pressure of one of golf’s biggest stages. From Rory’s drained recovery after carrying Europe to victory, to JT’s spiking heart rate in a do-or-die moment.
Supporting elite and everyday golfers
WHOOP partners with top golfers, including Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, sisters Nelly and Jessica Korda, and is continuously studying recovery, strain, and sleep patterns to give athletes a measurable edge.
In a recent study, WHOOP analysed 389 professional golfers across 521 tournaments and found that golfers with higher recovery scores and greater sleep consistency delivered fewer poor shots and gained strokes both tee-to-green and on the green.
In a sport defined by precision, the research underscores a core WHOOP belief: performance is not about what you do once, but what you do consistently. From the elite to the everyday golfer, the data is clear: optimized sleep and recovery are essential for consistent, high-level play.
The Ryder Cup took place September 26–28 at Bethpage Black on Long Island, New York, with coverage on NBC featuring WHOOP Live. WHOOP is currently offering a one-month free trial to help everyone start their journey. Learn more at whoop.com.
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About WHOOP
WHOOP, the human performance company, empowers people to unlock their potential and live longer, healthier lives. The WHOOP membership delivers world-class wearable technology, personalized coaching, and actionable insights across recovery, sleep, training, and health.
WHOOP wearable devices, including WHOOP 5.0 and WHOOP MG, feature groundbreaking innovations such as cardiovascular health screening (including an FDA-cleared ECG), Healthspan to measure Pace of Aging and WHOOP Age, and the first-of-its-kind wearable Blood Pressure Insights.
Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Boston, WHOOP has raised more than $400 million in venture capital and ships to 56 markets worldwide. The WHOOP app is available in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. WHOOP is sold through leading retailers including Amazon in the U.S., U.K., and Australia, Best Buy and Dick’s Sporting Goods in the U.S., Flipkart in India, and Virgin Megastore in the GCC.
To learn more or start a one-month free trial, visit whoop.com and connect with WHOOP on Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube
About the Ryder Cup The Ryder Cup is a biennial men’s golf competition between teams from the United States and Europe. Known for its high stakes, national pride, and intense match-play format, the Ryder Cup represents one of the most prestigious and exciting events in global sports.
