Ryder Cup Anticipation at Beth Page Black

It’s quite amusing to see the reactions about the 2025 Ryder Cup being held at Beth Page Black in New York. Almost instantly, the focus shifted to the expectations around rowdy fans and how this might work to the advantage of Team USA.

New Yorkers are known for their keen understanding of sports, and, well, mixing that with an event like the Ryder Cup—which can draw over 50,000 spectators at once—definitely raises some eyebrows. You can almost picture the chaos, right?

There’s a palpable sense of anticipation. Whether it’s the fans or the European players, everyone knows something entertaining is bound to happen. I mean, it’s bound to be a spectacle (or maybe a circus?).

Interestingly, there seems to be little chatter about American experiences in Europe during the Ryder Cup. Ever wonder if American players are anxious about how they might be treated over there? The thought crosses my mind, at least.

This isn’t just speculation, though. Lanny Wadkins, the 1995 Ryder Cup captain, addressed this whole issue recently during an interview with the Golf Channel and didn’t hold back. He highlighted that Americans never really complain about how things go down in Europe.

“I think it’s very curious how people don’t talk about it when we’re over there,” Wadkins said, recalling his own experiences. “We’ve faced the same treatment, but it’s never been a topic of complaint for us. Sometimes it seems like Europeans just can’t handle a little pressure.”

Wadkins sparked quite a debate by suggesting that some Europeans struggle with rowdy crowds. It’s tough to argue against that perspective.

What do you think? Can hostility in sports really make or break the experience?