The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black will be remembered not just for the shots that decided the matches, but for the extraordinary, often surreal, theatre that unfolded around the fairways of Long Island. While Shane Lowry ultimately celebrated with the trophy and fans, the week was defined by a potent mix of world-class sport, intense political undertones, and the raw, unfiltered energy of the New York crowd.
A Grounds Steeped in Political Fervour
From the moment spectators arrived, the event's atmosphere transcended sport. The opening ceremony set the tone, with New York's Democratic Governor, Kathy Hochul, maintaining a wild grin while being furiously heckled by thousands. The presence of former President Donald Trump was a constant, palpable force. His arrival was marked by Air Force One's low flyover, the presidential limousine, and the sight of his signature hairstyle fluttering in the wind near the first tee.
The crowd's attire spoke volumes. One fan wore a T-shirt depicting Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris with the slogan "It's Official – Trump Beats Women", while another sported a top declaring "Alex Jones did nothing wrong". This political charge even filtered into player interactions, with one woman screaming fervently at Bryson DeChambeau during a quiet practice session, thanking him for "everything you’ve done for the Donald!".
Logistical Chaos and Social Friction
Beyond the politics, the event was a logistical challenge that frayed tempers. Opening morning descended into chaos as shuttle buses from Farmingdale station gridlocked, forcing crowds to walk. Reckless fans charged a level crossing as a train approached, prompting the driver to lean out and swear as his brakes squealed. Security was intense, with airport-style screening and snipers positioned on the clubhouse roof. One Secret Service agent famously warned a spectator: "I’m going to let you bring that apple in with you but I need you to understand that if you throw it at the president you are going to jail."
The tension spilled into public transport. On a crowded evening train, a heated argument erupted between middle-aged fans and a young black woman over a cardboard box occupying seats. It culminated in a man shouting "This is the Long Island Railroad bitch, and I’m sitting on your shit!" before sitting on her belongings, sparking a wider row about decency and national values among passengers.
The Golf Amidst the Mayhem
Amidst this backdrop, the actual Ryder Cup competition unfolded. The United States team produced a shockingly poor performance for the first two days, one of the worst collective showings in recent memory. This made their dominant sweep of the Sunday singles matches all the more startling, creating a nauseous sense of a miraculous comeback for the home fans.
Moments of golfing brilliance did pierce the noise. Rory McIlroy, pushed to his limit by the hostile crowd, turned and told them to "shut the fuck up" before coolly dropping an iron shot to within two feet. Scottie Scheffler's sublime approach from 180 yards on the 10th and Jon Rahm's chip-in from the rough at the 8th were pure class. Yet, these feats competed for attention with scenes like comedian and MC Heather McMahan screeching "Fuck you Rory!" into a microphone at dawn on the first tee, and the sound of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son" blaring over the public address system.
The week was a cultural pressure cooker. It was a place where fans double-fisted cheeseburgers at 8am thanks to all-inclusive tickets, and where Scottie Scheffler could tell European journalists that Trump "treats everybody the same" on the same day the former president told the UN "Your countries are going to hell." For many observers leaving Long Island, the lingering feeling was one of witnessing a society at boiling point, where the Ryder Cup was merely the arena for a much broader, and louder, national conversation.
