Europe clinched the Ryder Cup in spirited fashion, edging out the United States. They concluded that tournament with a score of 15-13 on Bethpage Black. The win was completely marred by reports of appalling fan treatment aimed mainly at European players and their families. Rory McIlroy, the best player on either side in that competition, got heated over the treatment he received during the event. He explained that this very disturbing environment cast a shadow over this momentous event.
Luke Donald, captain of the European side, looked and sounded like a man who had been emotionally drained after the contest. Perhaps most telling about his leadership through that fiery competition was how he looked back on the challenges they faced as a team. “This means a lot obviously to me and the team,” Donald stated, acknowledging both the significance of the victory and the toll it had taken on him personally.
The mood of the fans quickly began to shift — beginning at the opening match on June 7 and continuing through the quarterfinals. McIlroy went on to describe how his wife, Erica, was hit by a beer tossed from the crowd on Saturday’s play. He stated, “I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf,” emphasizing the need for a respectful environment in such prestigious events. Fellow golfer Shane Lowry, another teammate of McIlroy’s on the European Ryder Cup team, agreed, calling the abuse leveled at Erica “astonishing.”
Keegan Bradley, the American team captain, took to social media to express his frustrations after the match. He recently expressed his opposition to the existing regulations. These regulations allowed hosts and Europe to gain half points for singles before a single match even started on Sunday. Bradley went on to say, “It’s got to be changed,” bringing home his point that something needs to be done moving forward in regards to Ryder Cups.
In a surprising turn, Bradley ended up needing to withdraw Harris English from the lineup. This was a tough decision to make too, with Viktor Hovland sustaining an unexpected injury, further adding to the US team’s woes. Even after suffering some enormous early defeats, Europe still won. They lost 10 of the 11 singles matches on Sunday, underscoring the almost unparalleled pressure of high-stakes, make-or-break competition.
Jon Rahm praised Donald’s captaincy throughout the tournament, stating, “Luke has set the bar for captaincy so extremely high.” This authentic praise for Donald’s direct, brusque, charmingly unpredictable leadership style highlighted just how aligned and committed the European team was. In response to Rahm’s praise, Donald remarked, “I couldn’t be more proud of these guys and what they have gone through, how they have come together, how they are playing for history, how they are playing for the people that came before them.”
In a post round interview after Bethpage Black, McIlroy blasted the heavy police and security presence around the course once the tournament began. He described it as “insane.” He insisted that these measures were needed due to the wild environment fostered by some fans.
While the players reveled in this victory well-earned, the outpour of abuse called attention — again — to the behavior and decorum expected or tolerated in the sport of golf. McIlroy said he wanted future editions to help create a better space for competitors and their families, filled with more respect and decorum. “I wish they had let the dogs off the leashes,” he stated, hinting at a desire for stricter regulations against unruly behavior among fans.