First-hand reflections on the Ryder Cup 2025 from Golfshake Ambassador Andy Picken following his attendance at the 2025 Ryder Cup – the good, the bad, and the lessons to be learned for the centenary event at Adare Manor in 2027.
I’m writing this note to provide feedback to the PGA of America – but also, hopefully, to assist PGA Europe as I look forward immensely to the 2027 event at Adare Manor, celebrating 100 years of this amazing Ryder Cup competition.
Having travelled halfway around the world to witness the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, there are several issues I feel compelled to highlight.
I simply want to help ensure this wonderful competition is not brought into disrepute or damaged in any way going forward. Golf as a sport is too important for the type of behaviour I witnessed – in the company of my wife – to tarnish its reputation.
The PGA of America are rightly proud of what they do in raising funds and growing the game of golf. Their work on Drive, Chip & Putt and other initiatives encouraging youngsters into the game can only be applauded.
However, I must be critical of several areas within the organisation and execution of the Bethpage event.
Player Abuse and Fan Behaviour
My main concern is that the players were subjected to vile abuse that had no place at any public event – least of all on a golf course.
It was clear from what I saw and heard that some individuals had even researched players’ family histories, learning the names of wives, partners, and even children, which were then used in abusive chants.
This must be unacceptable in any civilised society – especially on a golf course under the watchful eyes of the world and its young fans.
From the outset, the event had been hyped as one where the New York crowds would be loud and brash. I can accept loud and brash – with competitive banter – but what happened was neither acceptable nor inevitable. It could, in my view, have been prevented or at least reduced.
Policing and Crowd Control
I’m a rugby fan in the UK, used to crowds of 26,000 people and only a handful of police officers, with no fan segregation. Copious amounts of alcohol are consumed – yet rarely any disorder.
I also speak with 35 years of experience as an operational frontline police officer involved in public order management. One of the best ways to deter bad behaviour is to remove anonymity – make individuals accountable for their actions.
Had staff been equipped with body-worn cameras, it would have helped immensely. From what I observed, there seemed to be no clear instruction for staff to intervene or de-escalate situations. The European team – including vice captains, caddies, and even players’ partners – endured abuse without visible protection or response.
I was amazed at the restraint shown by Thomas Bjørn, who was verbally abused while walking to the 14th tee by an individual who frankly deserved a punch on the nose, being arrested or both!
Having had the pleasure of meeting and speaking to Thomas previously I could read his body language, and he acted with massive restraint to not react. I could see that every fibre of his being indicated that this was what he wanted to do but he did not to his credit as this would have ramped up an already poor situation.
For the first time, I saw state troopers patrolling either side of the playing groups. Yet they seemed to have no clear guidance on what was acceptable. They simply became a walking distraction for the spectators obstructing the view of the golfing action.
I saw no positive interactions with the crowd to lessen the level of abuse that they must have heard and seen.
I can understand the practical difficulty with no means of recording and evidencing what they were hearing.
Why were these officers not wearing body cameras?
Again, the Vice Captains were the only proactive people pointing out abusive behaviour other than players and the players do not need that distraction from the task in hand.
What instructions, if any, were given to volunteers and security staff about preventing misconduct before the event began?
I remember thinking to myself on the Sunday as the scoreboard went from blue to red that the behaviour would be allowed to worsen as the impact of it was in favour of the home team.
The only individual I saw trying to police the crowds in anyway proactive manner from the home team was Justin Thomas. He is to be credited with that action especially as it did not diminish his extraordinarily high level of personal performance.
It was clear to those of us watching that he was also trying to preserve the traditions and heritage of our wonderful sport.
Alcohol and Hospitality
I don’t believe excess alcohol was the main factor, as beer prices had been inflated, with the cheapest bottles costing $16. Body and bag checks at the entrance prevented spectators from smuggling in their own booze.
However, this good work was undone by several of the hospitality areas providing free unlimited booze to those who had paid handsomely for the privilege.
Everyone at the venue recognised that the red line of acceptable behaviour had been crossed but the only visible response from the PGA of America was to display signs warning against bad behaviour that were themselves jeered and booed by large elements of the crowd.
I saw no stewards, volunteers, or staff carrying “Quiet Please” signs – a simple, proven way to prevent disruptions during players’ swings. Who decided not to use them?
And perhaps most shockingly, a PGA of America employee, who had been a compère during the opening ceremony, was among those leading the “F&*k You Rory” chants. A massive own goal.
The opening ceremony on the Wednesday gave a very clear indication of the sign of things to come when the governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, gave her welcome address and was heckled and drowned out in a most aggressive and unpleasant manner.
I spoke to several US friends both new and old who knew my allegiances because I was dressed obviously in flags, scarves and shirts showing my allegiance to the European team and they were equally disgusted about the behaviour they had heard.
I am pleased that past Captain, Tom Watson felt it necessary to promote an apology on behalf of the PGA of America to a global audience on social media.
Those responsible for the bad behaviour were in the minority but they were able to continue unfettered because of a lack of dynamic response by the authorities.
Lessons to Be Learned
Don’t sell squeaky ducks in a cocktails drink and then not expect patrons to use the same to make noises on players back swings!
Ensure that there is sufficient toilet provision for all customers by the Saturday and Sunday they were evil, foul-smelling pits of doom. The ‘women only’ cubicles had not been treated as such and were missing toilet paper for most of the final’s days of the event.
Travel to the venue via train and bus required extensive kettling of customers in hot temperatures. In the main the efforts of the volunteer staff worked well but there were delays and some issues through over capacity.
Staff on the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) were great. They were helpful, informative and chatty. Great ambassadors for the city.
Food provisions were good – clearly signed, good quality, and accessible except during session breaks, when stock ran out and queues built up.
Litter and recycling operations were excellent, with staff working hard to reduce the event’s carbon footprint.
The merchandising operation was slick and professional, with quality air conditioning encouraging repeat visits!
As a first-time visitor to New York, I was impressed by its grandeur, arrogance, architecture and ambience.
Context and Perspective
I was excited to see Bethpage Black as a serious supporter of municipal golf and this being arguably the most famous version of that. The unfettered behaviour of some of the fans left me with a bad taste in the mouth and annoyed at the way this wonderful competition had been sullied.
Looking back, I checked my archive of golfing books to see if this was truly the worst event ever.
Given the scandal concerning the payments being made to Team USA I was surprised to discover that Samual Ryder himself was the man who introduced appearance money to the game of golf with a guaranteed fee of £5 for his first Heath and Heather tournament at Verulam in 1923. The winner received the princely sum of £50.00.
At the 1929 Ryder Cup at Moortown, the great Bernard Darwin wrote:
“It was a crowd that did not, I imagine, know a great deal about golf. While realizing that golf does not give so many opportunities of shouting as football, they were resolved to make the difference between the two games as small as possible. So, they ran, cheered, and once, I’m afraid to say, forgot themselves so far as to cheer when an American missed a short putt.”
I wonder what this great golf writer would have made of the Fairytale of New York or the Bearpit at Bethpage?
Golf is big enough to get over this event, but we do need to ensure that lessons are learnt to prevent any similar issues in the future.
Adare Manor in 2027 will be an important moment in golfing history given it is 100 years since the first event. I have little doubt that the Irish fans will represent our game with class, distinction and humour.
USA will find it a challenge. There is such a strong team bond and ethic within the European players that I noticed that many of them were still proudly using the Europe scorecard holders they had received as part of the players’ pack at the Dunhill Championship the following week.
Team USA will face a challenge. The European team spirit is real and deep — I noticed many players at the Dunhill Championship still proudly using the same Europe scorecard holders they received as part of their Ryder Cup players’ pack.
I love the fact that these professional athletes are so proud of involvement in this event that they are carrying and using material for no sponsorship return or remuneration.
This could be the X factor that separates the team for a remarkable third time. I certainly hope so as I will be there trying to get a decent vantage point wearing my ridiculous clothing and flags.
OLE OLE OLE!
