Despite a near-heroic final-day rally, Team USA was soundly beaten by Team Europe in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park outside of New York City. The final margin of 15-13 doesn’t tell the real story of what a lopsided match it was. No one on Team USA played poorly, but Team Europe seemed well-prepared and unified. Its members conducted themselves with composure, focus, and quiet confidence in the face of constant heckling by “New York fans.”
But is the excuse of being from New York a reason to be boorish, profane, and outright crude? Is the behavior of the fans from New York — surely there were a lot of other fans from around the country — acceptable because they are known for being rowdy, or is there something more going on?
President Donald Trump graced the Ryder Cup with his presence on Friday, Sept. 26. It was perhaps a harbinger for what was to come. Is hubris working for America? Is intolerance working for America? Is “American exceptionalism” working for America? It was certainly not working for Team USA at Bethpage Black.
The outcome of the matches seemed destined from the close of the first session on Friday morning. The European team seemed steeled against the lack of respect shown by the fans. It was not dissimilar from the dress down that Trump delivered to Europe and the rest of the world at the United Nations earlier in the week.
Team USA fans cheer during the Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course, on September 28, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
Just as the European team dealt with the adverse conditions, so does the world seem prepared to deal with the hostilities that America is demonstrating in trade, immigration, and wartime policies. Many world leaders are grinning between clenched teeth as Trump pushes his agenda across the globe. Most seem resolute to wait out the next three years until some standard of decorum returns to the world of diplomacy.
One does not need to look any further for decorum than the recent Walker Cup match contested at Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach, California. At one of the most iconic venues in golf, the United States defeated Great Britain and Ireland 17-9 in dominating fashion. Perhaps due to the smaller crowds, largely consisting of Cypress members, USGA officials, and friends and family, the competition embodied class and sportsmanship.
In New York, the same golf fans who embraced Rory McIlroy as he knelt in triumph on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club in April, completing the career grand slam, were constantly telling him to go f*** himself at Bethpage. European players were stepping off the ball repeatedly as unruly fans hurled insults about their weight, their families, and their talents. On Saturday, the police presence following the group with McIlroy and Shane Lowry was increased by 20-30 officers on the 7th hole due to the raucous crowd. Golf is hard enough without having to worry about your personal safety. The Ryder Cup was launched by Sam Ryder in 1927 as a friendly exhibition match between the best players in Great Britain and the United States. Unfortunately, it has evolved into something less.
Golf is considered to be the last bastion of true sportsmanship, where players call penalties on themselves and celebrate great play by others. The game where civility and kindness toward competitors have been the rule and not the exception. At this Ryder Cup, the game descended into one I wasn’t proud to watch as an American. Justin Thomas led the charge on Saturday to quiet the fans while Team Europe stood over its putts. He should be commended for trying to keep things civil. A dustup on the 15th hole between Justin Rose and Bryson DeChambeau’s caddie resulted in some tense moments, but both players and caddies, and vice-captain Francesco Molinari, resolved the problem before reaching the 16th tee.
The players on both teams know each other well. Most of the Europeans are more American than they are any other nationality. They play at the same golf courses together in Florida and are friends and business partners. They seem to get that they’ll see each other next week on tour or in the grocery store in Jupiter and avoided any real animosity. Despite the competitive intensity, they all did their part to honor the intent of the event. If only the fans could have done the same.
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You can’t blame the Team USA captain. Keegan Bradley was selfless and well-intended. You almost can’t blame the players on Team USA — they played their hearts out. The credit goes to Team Europe, as it showed up in an extremely hostile environment and got the job done. The Americans should take the beating, congratulate their opponents, and hope things aren’t worse for them in 2027 when the Ryder Cup is played at Adare Manor in Ireland.
Perhaps this was a lesson learned through the lens of golf: The U.S. exists in a world of global exceptionalism. Great ideas, great execution, and even great golf can come from anywhere. We’d be wise to reflect on the experience for the Americans at Bethpage Black. A lack of civility, paired with profane and boorish behavior, benefits no one. It certainly didn’t benefit Team USA last month.
Jeff Allen is Managing Partner of Maple Creek Capital in Denver and a lifelong and avid golfer.
