European Golfers Dominate Ryder Cup as Tensions Flare at Bethpage Black
The famous sign at Bethpage Black warning about the course’s extreme difficulty might need a revision after the second day of the Ryder Cup: “Recommended only for European golfers.” Team Europe has established a commanding 11.5-4.5 lead over the United States, putting the Americans in a nearly impossible position heading into Sunday’s singles matches. After winning the morning session 3-1, the Europeans maintained their momentum in the afternoon, claiming another three points to the Americans’ one, demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of hostile crowds and tense exchanges on the course.
The anticipated home-field advantage for the United States has failed to materialize where it matters most—on the scoreboard. While American fans have been loud and passionate throughout the competition, some spectators crossed the line with personal insults directed at European players. Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry faced particularly harsh treatment from the Long Island crowd. McIlroy was reportedly the target of 30 profanities through just four holes according to Golf Digest, including insults about his Irish heritage and references to his performance at the 2024 U.S. Open. Lowry had to be physically restrained on the 10th tee and requested security remove a fan, while others counted seconds during his pre-shot routine, attempting to disrupt his concentration. The tension reached a point where a fan nearly faced ejection after swearing at McIlroy on the 15th green.
Not all interactions were hostile, however. Some exchanges showcased the competitive spirit that makes the Ryder Cup special. When a fan taunted McIlroy on the 16th hole saying he was “not that good,” the Northern Irishman confidently responded, “I’m really f—ing good,” before crushing a drive down the middle of the fairway. European captain Luke Donald maintained his composure when discussing the crowd behavior, acknowledging that while most fans were simply passionate, some did “cross the line” with personal insults and making noises during players’ backswings. “It’s something we prepared for,” Donald noted, adding that his players have handled the hostile environment remarkably well. “Some people find that motivating. Sometimes the crowd going at you can be a motivator for some of these players, and I think Rory and Shane certainly looked like they were sort of almost enjoying the difficult environment out there.”
The tension wasn’t limited to player-fan interactions. On the 15th green, Bryson DeChambeau and Tommy Fleetwood engaged in a heated exchange that also involved their caddies. Undeterred by the confrontation, Fleetwood went on to secure his fourth point in as many matches when his partner Justin Rose birdied the 16th hole to win their match 3 & 2. Fleetwood has cemented his status as a Ryder Cup legend with an impressive career record of 11-3-2, the best winning percentage of any European player with at least 10 matches played. In stark contrast, world number one Scottie Scheffler has struggled tremendously, going 0-4-0 this weekend and becoming the first player since 1971 to lose his first three matches and still be sent out for a fourth on Saturday.
The climactic moment of Day Two came in the final match of the afternoon. With Americans hoping to gain momentum heading into Sunday, Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick delivered clutch iron shots to within three feet on the 18th hole. Their American opponents, Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay, couldn’t match this precision, effectively neutralizing the brief surge of optimism created minutes earlier when J.J. Spaun had birdied the 18th to win his match. This exchange perfectly encapsulated the Europeans’ dominance throughout the weekend—every time the Americans threatened to build momentum, the European side responded with exceptional golf to maintain control.
The United States now faces the largest deficit entering Sunday under the current 28-point format (established in 1979). To retain the Ryder Cup, the American team needs to win 10 of the available 12 points in Sunday’s singles matches—a feat that would represent the most points ever scored by one team in the event’s history. While stranger things have happened in sports, the Europeans have shown remarkable consistency and resilience in both their golf and their ability to handle the boisterous New York crowd. Their commanding performance at Bethpage Black suggests that the famous warning sign at the entrance might indeed need that European amendment, as they’ve made one of America’s toughest courses look surprisingly manageable while their American counterparts have struggled to find their form.
