Ryder Cup at Bethpage: When Fan Behavior Crosses the Line
The European Ryder Cup team endured seven days of vitriol and boorish behavior at Bethpage that simply can’t be justified. This isn’t about golf purism or outdated notions of decorum – the actions of some of New York’s worst fans would be unacceptable anywhere.
No player suffered more than Rory McIlroy, who embraced his role as Europe’s chief antagonist but still drew a firm line on what’s appropriate.
“I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf. I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week,” McIlroy said. “Golf has the ability to unite people. Golf teaches you very good life lessons. It teaches you etiquette. It teaches you how to play by the rules. It teaches you how to respect people. This should not be what is acceptable in the Ryder Cup.”
The situation became so concerning that more than two dozen New York State Police officers were dispatched to McIlroy’s four-ball match Saturday after what one security official described as “abusive” behavior. In one particularly disturbing incident, a fan threw a beer at McIlroy’s wife.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth – everyone knew what they were getting into when the PGA of America chose Bethpage.
Ted Bishop, who was PGA president in 2013 and helped bring the Ryder Cup to New York, put it bluntly: “Things got out of hand, that was disappointing. We knew the crowds would be like that. If you’ve attended any New York sporting event, Yankees, Mets, that’s what you’re going to get in New York.”
Bishop isn’t justifying anyone’s behavior, but the rowdy atmosphere was actually part of the calculation in selecting the “People’s Country Club” as host. The crowd, for better or worse, was one of the primary selling points.
“I don’t think there’s any question it took the home crowd and venue to an entirely different level. It was a dynamic atmosphere,” Bishop said.
The plan to bring the Ryder Cup to Bethpage started taking shape in 2010 after a Monday finish at the 2009 U.S. Open seemed to strain relations between New York state and the USGA.
“Mickelson and Fowler were playing a practice round in 2010 in Wales. They were talking about potential Ryder Cup sites, they had no idea we were in talks to have Bethpage host, and they said what a great home course advantage to have a Ryder Cup [at Bethpage],” Bishop recalled.
It took three more years to finalize the deal, but the announcement immediately boosted the PGA financially and elevated the matches to something more in line with “mainstream sports.”
Some see this Ryder Cup as a turning point that should force officials to tone down the atmosphere at future events. McIlroy certainly thinks so.
“This should not be what is acceptable in the Ryder Cup,” McIlroy said. “We will be making sure to say to our fans in Ireland in 2027 that what happened here this week is not acceptable, you know, come and support your home team. Come and support your team.”
It’s a fair reaction after an incredibly unfair week for the world No. 2, but also somewhat misguided considering the crowd – with all its flaws – was precisely why Bethpage was chosen.
“I figured from the beginning the crowd would be tremendous. Maybe the greatest advantage a home team can have,” Bishop said.
Whether the atmosphere ultimately benefited the U.S. team, which lost 15-13 despite a Sunday rally, or the Europeans, who seemed oddly energized by the hostility, depends on your perspective. But there’s no denying that Bethpage elevated the Ryder Cup like no other venue could. The uncomfortable reality in sports is that sometimes reaching those heights means wading through the mud.
