The Ryder Cup crowd turned Bethpage Black into a carnival of color, chaos, and patriotism Friday, as fans from both sides spared no expense to make the biennial showdown unforgettable.
From bald eagle suits to red, white, and blue onesies, U.S. supporters flooded the Farmingdale course with star-spangled pride. Some dressed as Mount Rushmore icons – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln – while sipping light beers before 10 a.m.
On the other side, European fans waved flags and sported blue suits dotted with yellow stars, belting out chants that clashed with American jeers.
“It’s super special to America,” said Robert Charles, 26, of Jacksonville, Florida, who donned a Mount Rushmore outfit with friends. “We thought, what better way to celebrate?”
The atmosphere at Bethpage Black was unforgettable
The atmosphere lived up to the hype, with organizers expecting 50,000 fans to pack the course – many singing, many jeering, and more than a few turning the golf tournament into a party.
Veteran Ryder Cup fans like David Buyse and his group, the self-dubbed “American Marshals,” came prepared in Viking hats and braided wigs to ensure U.S. chants could rival Europe’s notorious songbook.
But the rowdy scene couldn’t mask the early dominance from Team Europe, who made history by sweeping the first three morning matches on American soil for the first time ever.
Team USA still has hope
The shocker came when Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg and England’s Matt Fitzpatrick dismantled Russell Henley and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. By midday, Europe held a commanding 3-1 lead heading into the afternoon best-ball session.
The U.S. still has two team sessions Saturday and the all-important Sunday singles to turn the tide in the most anticipated golf tournamente this season. But for now, American celebrations are on ice, even if the costumes are unforgettable.
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