Ryder Cup Has Been Getting Out of Control for Years. New York Took It to a New Level
The Ryder Cup, one of golf’s most celebrated and intense competitions, has long been known for its passionate fans and electrifying atmosphere. However, in recent years, the event has seen a noticeable shift toward unruly and out-of-control behavior, with the 2023 matches at Bethpage Black in New York amplifying this trend to unprecedented levels.
It all started to come to a head back in 2016 at Hazeltine when Rory McIlroy openly expressed frustration over one particular American spectator whose relentless noise and heckling forced Rory to call security to have the fan removed. The constant racket even left McIlroy considering headache medicine, a rare admission from a golfer known for his stoicism. Fast forward to Bethpage Black, and the atmosphere, already notorious for its boisterousness during championship golf, reached a new fever pitch.
The tone was unmistakably set early, on Friday morning, when a fan loudly shouted, “Fore, right!” as Jon Rahm was mid-swing. Moments later, a group of spectators launched into an expletive-laden chant targeting McIlroy, a scene that was repeated the next day by Heather McMahan, who had been hired as the PGA of America’s master of ceremonies. What was audible and visible went well beyond spirited cheering, crossing the line into what many called outright hostility.
This escalating unruliness is not a new phenomenon. The trajectory can be traced back to the 1999 Ryder Cup at Brookline, where Colin Montgomerie was subjected to such intense personal abuse that his father famously walked off in protest. Over time, the crowd’s demeanor evolved, sometimes even turning against the home team when things didn’t go their way, reflecting deeper frustrations about the sport’s commercialization and competitive pressures. Yet, there was always a line—until now.
The week leading up to the Bethpage matches sparked curiosity: would the tough New York fans, known for their critical nature toward underperforming teams, turn on their own or intensify their jeers toward the visiting European squad? The latter proved true. Ted Bishop, a former PGA of America president, put it bluntly: “If you’ve attended any New York sporting event, Yankees, Mets, that’s what you’re going to get in New York.” Bishop, who presided when the Ryder Cup was awarded to Bethpage Black, acknowledged that this culture of intense, sometimes aggressive fans was baked into the local sports DNA.
The situation is further compounded by a societal shift where heckling and unruly behavior are increasingly normalized—an attitude that sometimes spills even into casual rounds or practice sessions. For example, at The Players Championship, McIlroy was heckled so aggressively on a practice round that he confiscated the phone of a University of Texas player who was filming the incident. The outbursts at Bethpage Black were similar but intensified, prompting McIlroy to call for golf to be held to a higher standard, emphasizing that such behavior is unacceptable in the sport.
Yet, reactions from players were not always above reproach. Both McIlroy and fellow European Shane Lowry let fly with explicit language of their own, reflecting the intense pressure and raw emotions coursing through the competition. Another subtle but telling change has been how quickly crowds react when a visiting player misses a shot—they now erupt immediately, a stark contrast to the old etiquette of a brief pause before applause. This shift hints at a more antagonistic environment, one unlikely to revert anytime soon.
Beyond the drama of the stands and the intense verbal exchanges, the end of the Ryder Cup is a starting line for many players. Rasmus Hojgaard, who made his Ryder Cup debut, is now fighting to secure his PGA Tour status, currently sitting 87th in the FedEx Cup standings. Others like Brandt Snedeker and Francesco Molinari have moved on to new events like the Sanderson Farms Championship, while some, including Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick, have headed back to Scotland for the Dunhill Links Championship.
Tommy Fleetwood, besides being Europe’s top points earner at Bethpage Black, earned the coveted Nicklaus-Jacklin Award, named after legendary Ryder Cup figures Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin, given to the player who best exemplifies the spirit of the Ryder Cup. Fleetwood’s calm and sportsmanlike demeanor stood out during heated moments, including a tense exchange between Justin Rose and Bryson DeChambeau’s caddie. Fleetwood credited captain Luke Donald’s leadership for instilling a positive attitude that helped Europe clinch the victory.
The post-Ryder Cup season also sees a wave of advancements for emerging players. Michael Brennan, a Wake Forest alum, secured Korn Ferry Tour membership after winning three times on the PGA Tour Americas and also won a $25,000 bonus for leading the Fortinet Cup in Canada. Brennan and nine other top players will move up, earning opportunities in future prominent tournaments like the RBC Canadian Open.
There were also other notable highlights: Tyrrell Hatton’s impressive streak of eight consecutive Ryder Cup matches without a loss, Nicolas Colsaerts preparing for his 500th European Tour start before retiring from full-time golf, and the Travelers Championship producing a record $4 million for charity. Additionally, upcoming tournaments continue to offer pathways to major events, with spots in the British Open available for leading players at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Memorial Tournament, and Canadian Open.
In sports statistics, Scottie Scheffler’s remarkable run stands out, having won 38 percent of the tournaments he entered since the 2023 Ryder Cup and securing 22 percent of his Ryder Cup matches.
Among the final thoughts from players, Justin Thomas’s reflection captures the unique rollercoaster that is the Ryder Cup: “It’s the best. It’s more fun than any event we play. There’s nothing else you can be a part of where you can just get your face kicked in like we did the first two days and have that much fun.”
The Ryder Cup remains a thrilling spectacle of golf’s highest level, but with the escalating intensity of fan behavior, especially in a passionate sports hub like New York, the challenge will be preserving the spirit and respect that make the event special amidst the rowdiness.
