FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Two days after the bloodshed at previously stalwart Bethpage Black, the U.S. Ryder Cup team sits seven points behind (11.5 to 4.5) and literally needs the biggest upset in tournament history to avoid the most embarrassing performance in the 45 editions of this grand biennial golf extravaganza dating back to 1927.
Unless something miraculous (for Americans) or disastrous (for Europeans) happens, this Ryder Cup is over. Europe has won this tournament on U.S. soil only four times (1987, 1995, 2004, 2012), but a fifth championship seems inevitable.
Sunday could be a six-hour celebration for Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, captain Luke Donald and the rest of the visiting team.
As a result, Sunday attendance may be reduced. It was clear that Europe would do the same thing it had done in the past three sessions on Long Island this weekend, so many ticket holders walked out and left the venue early Saturday. It was about extending the lead and stealing the American spirit in the process.
An early exodus of fans led to some cheeky chants from European supporters on the ground. One well-meaning taunt — “Is there a fire drill?!” — rang out just after 5 p.m. ET, more than an hour before Saturday’s game officially ended.
Europe deserves praise, but the United States deserves blame for being beaten down. The European players’ incredible iron play and putting skills were outstanding, but most of the Americans were no-shows. The Americans saw their short sticks go cold from deep on all but a few shots as Europe drained putt after putt from beyond 15 feet.
If it weren’t for the red, white, blue, and American accents dominating the venue, one would think this Ryder Cup was being held on European soil. Donald’s team looked comfortable from sunrise Friday, and that’s because his team understood its mission: show up prepared, not fear the course, let the putter shine, embrace the team spirit, trust each other, and give American fans no reason to cheer.
Throughout the two days, Europe played almost perfect team golf. Fleetwood doesn’t need the “close” qualifier. The shaggy-haired 34-year-old Englishman is playing to be the best in Ryder Cup history. He was perfect through four games — the first European to sweep his first four games while playing in a U.S.-based cup tournament — and the four points he scored in his foursome were just half a point fewer than all 12 of Team USA’s golfers could swing in two days.
What a mowing on the grounds of a state park! They have the edge and hold the lead through 76 holes through Saturday’s eight games. How many holes did the US lead on Saturday? Six.
Why is it that there is a consensus that Sunday was just a formality? Because Europe has always been on the rise as a result of playing from a position of confidence, dominance and control.
“The Europeans played great,” U.S. captain Keegan Bradley said. “It was really impressive to watch. This was, to me, one of the best performances by a road team in any sport up close. They played unbelievably well. They played great. Their putts got even better.”
“I never imagined anything like this,” Donald said. “Every time the Americans attacked, we kept coming back. Their resilience and confidence is just incredible.”
The big picture: Europe is on pace to have its best Ryder Cup performance since teams were allowed to compete on the continent in 1979. This is historic, and what happened in New York, where the expectation was firmly that America would show up and show off in front of its most rowdy fan base, makes it all the more amazing.
So let’s not gloss over this aspect of the Ryder Cup. Because it was uglier for America than what happened inside the ropes.
As with any Ryder Cup session, jeers and jeers were expected on Friday. I walked along with Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka for more than half of the four-ball games against Scotty Scheffler and JJ Spawn, and the Europeans received some sharp insults (most of all fat shaming).
Saturday was beyond the pale.
The crowd quickly got to the point where New York State Police lined up inside the ropes, mainly as McIlroy and Lowry fought Justin Thomas and Cameron Young. (More police officers were sent to monitor all four games in the afternoon.)
Intoxicated fans began accusing McCloy and Lowry. McIlroy reportedly yelled F-bomb as he prepared to make a putt, and also took personal shots at their appearance and family members. Several reporters spoke within earshot. At least 20 police officers were present and were able to quell some of the rude behavior. (Special credit to Thomas for showing sportsmanship to his European comrades and actively trying to quiet the crowd.)
McIlroy got so frustrated at one point during the morning’s foursomes match – not only were the fans rude, some even yelled at him on the backswing, which is a failure in golf (even at the Ryder Cup) – that he literally walked away from the ball on his second shot on 16 and yelled, “Shut up!”
He then landed his next shot within 6 feet of the pin.
The more aggressive the fans got, the better McIlroy seemed to play. As he approached the 15th tee, he looked up at the giant videoboard and observed all four European teams leading in their respective matches. He pointed at the board, looked back at the majority of Americans (mixed in with some upbeat, raucous chants from the Euro minority), and gave a fist pump as he walked to the tee box.
“When you play in the Ryder Cup away, it’s really, really challenging,” McIlroy told NBC. “It’s not for me to say. People can decide for themselves if we went too far. I’m just proud that we were able to win today because of what we had to overcome.”
American fans were desperate to find a reason to root for their team, believing that this Ryder Cup could be somewhat competitive for the United States and even have a chance of success. Rather, the dashed positive expectations led to a predictably negative view of European competitors.
The rougher the crowd, the better the European teams’ golf.
“We’re partly to blame for that,” Bradley said. “We’re not up to the standards they want. They’re angry and they should be angry.”
Late Saturday, feelings between the two sides flared further after Justin Rose quickly took exception to the American hovering in his peripheral vision as he prepared to make a putt. A heated exchange ensued, including with the caddy. — as the group heads to the 16th tee.
Asked about the conflict, Bradley said, “We’re involved in this big thing in sports and golf.” “That happens a lot in sports. After the round, they seemed okay. You know, there’s a lot of passion out there, especially…well, for both teams. But from what I understand, nothing was wrong after the round. Things like this happen when you’re playing for your country.”
This was to be one of the most competitive and lively Ryder Cups in history. Rather, we are in the midst of an unprecedented explosion that may itself be historic. After all, Europe’s seven-point advantage is the largest the Ryder Cup has had going into its final 12 games since the format changed in 1979.
Not only has the Euros invaded Long Island, they are poised to claim New York as their own territory by Sunday afternoon.
