The Excitement of the Ryder Cup
Imagine the loudest and most vibrant event in golf, set on a public golf course in New York that is famed for its lively fans. When you gather 50,000 flag-waving spectators at Bethpage Black, you create a highly anticipated Ryder Cup experience.
“This is undoubtedly going to be the biggest golf event ever,” stated Justin Thomas, the most seasoned American player in his team despite participating in only his fourth Ryder Cup.
To add to the excitement, former President Donald Trump plans to attend the opening session on September 26, during which the American team will aim to reclaim the Ryder Cup.
The fervor surrounding this competition is unmatched, all centered around a 17-inch gold trophy originally donated by English seed merchant Samuel Ryder for a friendly rivalry between American and European teams in 1927. After almost a century, that rivalry sometimes feels anything but friendly.
U.S. captain Keegan Bradley shared, “Being a part of the Ryder Cup transforms you forever.” He has kept his suitcase from his first Cup in 2012 untouched, vowing not to open it until he is part of a winning team.
Returning captain Luke Donald aims to join Tony Jacklin as the sole European captains to win back-to-back. He has kept the same 12 players, making only one change: Rasmus Hojgaard replaces his twin brother, Nicolai.
Learning from past mistakes, the U.S. team practiced together leading up to the event, ensuring cohesive teamwork. In contrast, Europe had most of its players meet at the BMW PGA Championship, receiving virtual reality gear to prepare for the Bethpage crowd’s intense atmosphere. Justin Rose remarked on the anticipated chaos, saying, “New Yorkers embody their reputation, fully expect chaos out there.”
