It would be criminal to author a golf column and not mention the 2025 Ryder Cup.
Held at the once-iconic Bethpage Black, this edition will, unfortunately, be remembered less for the quality of the golf and more for two things: a questionable course setup and a crowd that seemed determined to confirm every stereotype of New York sports fandom.
The setup was, to put it kindly, among the poorest in recent memory — and even that was overshadowed by the behavior of the gallery. The raucous throngs in attendance crossed the line from passionate to profane. The jeers, the taunts, the language, the lack of decorum—it all became part of the story. Yes, it rained before the tournament. But the deluge didn’t just come from the sky. I’m sure Team Europe is more than happy they won’t have to return for another four years.
Golf has always prided itself on a higher standard of conduct. Courtesy, respect, fairness, civility—a general turn-down-the-volume sensibility—have long defined the game and those who watch it. This Ryder Cup, however, felt more like a mash-up of football, soccer, boxing, and rugby, played out against a backdrop of beer-fueled bravado.
When we tune into those other sports, we expect that kind of atmosphere. It fits. The pace, the physicality, the tribal energy—it all matches. But golf has always been different. Until, apparently, a New York crowd decided to bring a “New York state of mind” to the fairways. It was, frankly, ugly to watch.
And that brings us to Rory McIlroy. Some pundits have suggested Rory “caused” the crowd’s hostility. Nothing could be further from the truth. Rory reacted—as any human being would—to deeply personal insults hurled at him and his family, not to mention a drink thrown at his wife. You’ve got to be kidding. In that moment, his response was not only understandable, it was restrained. Put yourself in that situation—how would you react? The incident was a black eye on what should be golf’s classiest stage.
All that said, amid the chaos, the golf itself was sensational. Yes, the setup leaned toward scoring, but these players still had to execute under the most intense pressure imaginable. And they delivered.
It’s a reminder of just how elite these athletes are. If you ever doubt it, consider this: a 10-handicap is closer to a scratch player than a scratch player is to a tour professional. The gulf in ability is that wide.
Next stop: Northern Ireland, 2027. Here’s hoping the Irish fans don’t feel compelled to exact revenge—and that the Ryder Cup returns to being remembered for the brilliance of the golf, not the behavior of the crowd.
Dennis Clark is a PGA Master Professional and seven-time PGA award winner, including Teacher of the Year and Golf Professional of the Year. Dennis is available for private instruction at Eagle Lakes Golf Club. He can be reached at 239-777-6043 or dennisclarkgolf@gmail.com.
