Golf is not a game known for its hostile crowds and intimidating atmospheres.
But for three days, every two years, golf gets its own version of the Old Firm derby.
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The 2025 Ryder Cup is fast-approachingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Ryder Cup is a different beast to the gentleman’s game we know: it’s noisy, it’s passionate, it’s feverish.
And like most things in America, the scale of all that will be even bigger in 2025.
Europe head to Bethpage Black in New York to defend the trophy and most expect Luke Donald’s men to be met with a cauldron of fear.
Winning away Ryder Cups is hard: only one team have managed to do it in the last 19 years and that famously required a miracle.
Not only do the hosts get to play in front of an incredibly partisan crowd, they also get to pick the format and set up the golf course.
Ian Poulter was the catalyst for that iconic victory at Medinah in 2012.
The ‘Postman’, who is not currently involved in the Ryder Cup following his move to LIV Golf, developed a reputation for his attitude towards the crowd over the years.
Like a travelling footballer scoring in front of the Kop, Poulter welcomed the noise and sent it back with interest.
With Donald’s team now locked in for September 26, Poulter has offered a word of advice for the 12 men headed for New York.
Speaking at LIV Golf UK in July, the Englishman said: “Any away win, whether they come to European soil or we go to US soil, it’s a fortress.
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Poulter is known for his love of the Ryder CupCredit: Getty
“It’s been that way for a long time and we all know as past players and players that it’s a big intimidation factor.
“The home crowd themselves play a massive part. They will play a massive part again coming into this Ryder Cup.
“I think the team are well aware of it. I think I’ve always embraced the fact of enjoying the rowdiness of the away fans and trying to feed off their energy.
“I remember from Medinah, it was all noise because they were crushing us pretty much all through Friday and Saturday until we decided to play for pride and turn this thing around and actually go out there and be a bit stubborn and try and do damage limitation.
“We got past the damage limitation perspective and turned it into a victory. That’s what they’re going to need to do at Bethpage Black.”
Donald has named the least changed team in Ryder Cup history, with Rasmus Hojgaard replacing his twin brother Nicolai as the only difference from the dominant European team in Rome.
Team Europe
Captain: Luke Donald
Rory McIlroy
Bob MacIntyre
Tommy Fleetwood
Justin Rose
Tyrrell Hatton
Rasmus Hojgaard
Shane Lowry
Sepp Straka
Viktor Hovland
Ludvig Aberg
Jon Rahm
Matt Fitzpatrick
The Americans, meanwhile, will have four rookies: JJ Spaun, Russell Henley, Cameron Young and Ben Griffin.
Poulter added: “Any rookie, it’s an intimidating position to play in any Ryder Cup, let alone one that’s on away soil and let alone one that’s going to be at Bethpage Black with New York fans.
“Luke is well equipped and they’ll have a great backroom staff as well to give them all the support and the support system that they need to enlighten them on what’s going to happen.
“I wish them all the best and hopefully they can bring that trophy back to our home soil at some point.”
Meanwhile, Ryder Cup legend Sir Nick Faldo believes the fierce challenge posed by Bethpage Black could work in Europe’s favour.
The course is known to be one of golf’s greatest tests – and Faldo – who played in 11 Ryder Cups – expects that to sharpen the visitors’ focus.
Team USA
Captain: Keegan Bradley
Scottie Scheffler
Xander Schauffele
Bryson DeChambeau
JJ Spaun
Russell Henley
Harris English
Justin Thomas
Collin Morikawa
Patrick Cantlay
Cameron Young
Ben Griffin
Sam Burns
He told talkSPORT: “Going to Bethpage Black, we know it, you know it, they know it – what’s gonna be going on outside the ropes. That’s the only thing they have to deal with.”
Faldo added: “The number one thing is what’s gonna go on outside the ropes. But so it won’t come as any surprise as long as the guys are prepared for that.
“But I think we’re gonna do it. I think we’ll win 15-13.
“The guys know something’s gonna happen. So they’ve got to have a plan on how they deal with it.
“I was chatting to Luke saying that the great thing about that golf course is it’s a tough golf course. It’s the second toughest in America. It’s a bit like when we went to Oak Hill and we won away.
“You’ve got a you’ve got a better deal with that, so you can switch on 100 per cent to what you got to do with your shot, and I would have thought that will keep you focused.”
