Better Be On Your Best Behavior at Ryder Cup in New York

by | Oct 9, 2024 | Pro News

The Ryder Cup is taking proactive measures to address potential unruly behavior by fans ahead of its matches scheduled for September 26-28, 2025, at Bethpage Black in New York.

The PGA of America is implementing increased security to ensure that the spirited atmosphere of the event remains positive for both the player and patron experience.

“Passions are high. Energy is high,” European Captain Luke Donald said. “You want to see that amongst the players. You certainly don’t want to see the spirit of the Ryder Cup endangered in any way.

Appearing together at a Manhattan news conference this week, Donald and U.S. Captain Keegan Bradley acknowledged the challenges posed by the highly enthusiastic and passionate crowds, with Bradley drawing parallels to other iconic venues in the Big Apple.

“Nobody on either team wants this to get uncomfortable or weird out there. But listen, you come into Yankee Stadium, you come into Madison Square Garden, you come into these places, it’s a tough place to play, and Luke and the boys know that,” said Bradley, a seven-time winner on the PGA TOUR, most notably the 2011 PGA Championship.

Ryder Cup

Keegan Bradley

Bethpage Black is known for its difficulty, as indicated by a sign posted near the first hole tee box of the public golf course. “Warning: The Black course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers.”

Both captains said are open to selecting players from the Saudi-bankrolled LIV Golf series if they meet eligibility criteria. Historically, the European team has faced challenges on U.S. soil, with their last victory occurring in 2012, at Medinah, which will host the 2026 Presidents Cup.

All this precaution has merit.  Spain’s Sergio Garcia was severely heckled when the course hosted the 2002 U.S. Open, and eventual 2019 PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka got much grief from fans there for surrendering his huge lead before hanging on eventually to hoist the trophy.

Donald noted that the Europeans will certainly be considered underdogs in such a tough environment on Long Island.

“The last few times we’ve played away, the results have been one-sided towards the U.S.,” added Donald.

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<a href="https://golfonemedia.com/author/george_mcneilly/" target="_self">George McNeilly</a>

George McNeilly

George McNeilly is an award-winning multimedia broadcaster, producer and writer with a journalism background that has spanned the globe from four Olympics, 17 Super Bowls, World Series, NBA Finals, Major College Football, Basketball and Professional Golf. A former Senior ESPN executive, George teaches Sports Business at Full Sail University and is managing partner of McNeilly Communications.