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Question of the week [Sept. 29 – Oct. 5]: Who should be the 2027 Ryder Cup captains for Europe and the United States?
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Europeans are better socialists. Won the team game. "The power of we."
Americans are better capitalists. Won the individual game. "If it's to be, it's up to me."
Brian Schimmel
Wilmington, North Carolina
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Sunday’s resurgence by the U.S. (missed by many) was probably our only highlight. The European team and its captain, Luke Donald, were the class of the event, and maybe a tempering of USA’s Ryder Cup arrogance could prove to be a third highlight.
Lots of lessons to be learned, but the most important will be the fact that a TV audience will not stick with poor strategy, questionable broadcast decisions and boorish crowd behavior. There will likely be some advertising "make goods" at NBC with those lower Sunday ratings. With that crowd and bar service beginning at 9 a.m., thank goodness they didn't have the Phoenix Open’s weather of 2024.
Other obvious lessons are how to hire better "experts" in crowd and transportation logistics, what the USGA will take from this as it stages the next U.S. Open not far away in Long Island and, yes, with Europeans also playing in front of a similar crowd demographic. Surely they’ll clean up this potential mess before tickets go on sale. And no DJs will be needed there.
Back to the crowds. So we already knew that social media has lifted most filters and we who look are flooded with videos of fans slugging it out at other sporting events. Until recently, yelling and screaming profanities into players’ faces (and their wives) wasn't typical of golf gallery behavior. Luckily there was no fighting.
But today’s society is slow to understand the impact social media has on youth as they watch dad, grandpa and sometimes even mom make an idiot of themselves. That the crowd was a feature of Saturday’s Ryder Cup and being ignored by captain Keegan Bradley was a big step backwards in 'growing the game."
Like the PGA Tour and Phoenix Open admirably did, the PGA of America needs to fix this classic.
Steve Moore
Birmingham, Alabama
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Disgraceful. People who don’t have enough respect for the competitors to not make crude or vulgar comments must be removed from the grounds and banned from any other session. They should be arrested if they violate any conditions of their ticket. I’m tired of having to apologize for this behavior.
David Flinchbaugh
Leland, North Carolina
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Blame Keegan Bradley, blame the PGA or blame the easy setup — or anyone else. But no one hits a shot other than the players. You have 12 of the best players on Tour. Maybe not the top 12 at Cup time, but close. The same for the Europeans. The bottom line is the United States didn’t make a putt that counted until the players got into their element — singles golf. Plus every time you turned around, team Europe was hitting a wedge inside 5 feet. And that was all three days. The Americans just got boat raced until they gassed up on Sunday.
Barry Duckworth
Knoxville, Tennessee
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I’m in almost 100% of what all the other posted comments were, with one exception.
I happen to be a huge Rory McIlroy fan, but his behavior also did not help the situation. I certainly understand his anger and frustration but his use of the "F" word clearly did not help in any way.
Bruce A. Desonne
Mountainside, New Jersey
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A few observations about the 2025 Ryder Cup:
Most notably, those now in charge of the Ryder Cup have truly forgotten the intent of Samuel Ryder and James Hartnett (a circulation manager at Golf Illustrated magazine). The competition was designed to foster goodwill and sportsmanship in an exhibition of golf between British (now European) and United States professional golfers.
Now, my main takeaway is that recent Ryder Cups — and most especially the 2025 event — have fostered ill will between competitors, caddies and all involved. The PGA of America has again proven its ineptitude. The selection of Bethpage Black was a conscious decision to further inject a raucous crowd into the competition.
What the Ryder Cup needs is a return by the fans to respect all golfers playing in the Ryder Cup. I enjoy golf because, unlike most other sports, it expects and encourages proper decorum by players and fans alike. Confident that most golf fans share that same opinion.
Long ago I realized television changes everything it covers, and rarely for the better. TV selectively zooms in fans dressed in ridiculous clothing and highlights over-the-top demonstrations by players and fans alike. In the buildup to this year’s Ryder Cup there was an excessive focus upon what to expect from New York fans. Well, we all see what that yielded.
Lastly, there are 12 players. Both the United States and Europe had one captain and five vice captains. I suggest reducing that ridiculous 2-to-1 player-to-captain ratio. Enough with the "lifetime achievement captains and vice captains." The sport of golf does not need too many voices in the same room, just as we do not need too many swing thoughts when we play.
Steve Rosenbaum Sr.
Oak Lawn, Illinois
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I am an American, living in Georgia, who has played golf since he was 11 (55 years). I am a sports fan of many colors and I’ve attended events all over the United States — golf, tennis, football, baseball, basketball and soccer. While fervent fandom is the right of all fans; name calling, screaming during shots and creating a threatening environment for players and their families is never acceptable. I was embarrassed for our country.
While I can lament that "we" need to do better, that prayer isn’t in my hands. I will still offer it.
What is in the hands of the event organizers is enforcing a code of conduct at events. This code of conduct, if emphasized and enforced, would have prevented the debacle that occurred at the Ryder Cup. That code of conduct should allow for one warning (unless the offense was a danger to others, then no warning) and if you can’t abide by the code, out you go.
Arguments against will speak to limiting attendance. Oh well. If the only people who attend are idiots, then we shouldn’t have the event at that location anyway.
I should not be worried about bringing my grandchildren to a golf event. Unfortunately, because of the Ryder Cup and too many other professional and collegiate events, I do.
Ed Cordell
Buford, Georgia
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As a life member of the PGA of Amercia — 31 years as a head professional — I am enraged by the conduct of the crowd reaction to the European players and especially Rory McIlroy.
I am also calling for the resignation of the president of the PGA. To have allowed such conduct to go on was a disgrace. They need to attend the Masters and learn about handling crowd behavior.
Bill Feil
La Quinta, California
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Sadly, it was a sh-t show for two days. The fans were awful and I turned it off on Saturday. No way to present golf to the world. Having [President Donald] Trump with his outfit on was the cherry on the cake. Did he think he was playing? Kids should not have been allowed. The U.S. stormed back as it always does, but the damage was done. It really didn't matter as the whole affair was tainted.
Art Williams
Luzerne, Pennsylvania
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As a (native) New Yorker, I was disgusted with the cursing at Rory McIlroy. There’s no room for that kind of behavior in the game of golf. When a player is over his ball to execute his shot, everyone should be quiet.
Bob Floresca
Wilmington, North Carolina
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The Europeans, when paired with another teammate, are world beaters. The record speaks for itself. Similarly, the Americans are a true force in singles play, exposing the weakness of the European team / players. Just look what happened in singles at Bethpage. The stats don't lie.
America has to get to the point where it can survive Friday and Saturday, and then take over on Sunday. I don't think Keegan [Bradley] made many mistakes, in fact I think he was a good captain. The hard reality was the American putts did not fall Friday and Saturday while the Europeans made almost everything.
That is not a coaching issue. Europe deserved to win, but America showed great heart to make this close. No question Luke Donald is a historically great captain, but he was not so good on Sunday — let us not forget that. The fact that Bradley's team rallied so valiantly speaks very well of the American team and their captain.
Reid Farrill
Toronto, Ontario
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I've played and watched golf for over 60 years, going back to Shell's Wonderful World of Golf. Technology has brought welcome changes to the coverage of many golf events.
Unfortunately, the gains in how the events and tournaments are covered is offset by the coarsening of fan behavior. It has regressed. I was embarrassed by how U.S. fans treated the European golfers, particularly Rory McIlroy. Fan behavior dampened the great comeback of the U.S. players on Sunday and gave the U.S. a black eye.
I don't know why the fans hurling nasty insults and profanity, as well as beer, at the European players were allowed to remain on the golf course grounds. Moreover, is the PGA of America going to step up and do something about this fan behavior?
The Ryder Cup is overhyped, and I don't have much interest in watching future matches at this point. I hope I'm not an outlier regarding my views.
Jim Fuquay
Indianapolis, Indiana
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Among my observations are some suggestions.
1) No more players like Justin Thomas acting maniacally to generate fan support. Many fans don’t know where to draw the line.
2) All players have two years in which to qualify and the top 12 make the team. This eliminates favoritism and is eminently fair.
3) Six coaches for twelve players is a bit bizarre. Are they so needy that every two need a coach?
4) Factor in online gambling and alcohol when discussing fan behavior. Many fans have a financial interest in a specific match.
5) Show players videos of the classy behavior from past Ryder Cups. Not recent past certainly. They could learn proper deportment and sportsmanship.
6) Consider limiting ticket sales.
Vinny Mooney
Poughkeepsie, New York
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I'm disgusted at the rude garbage by my fellow Americans.
I enjoy watching for entertainment. My self worth is not at stake and ignore the 10 tons of build up and hype.
And I'll repeat what I wrote from two years ago. In politics, war, science, etc., Europe is a mess. Fighting each other. Only in golf do Europeans get a chance to pull together, and to pull against the all-everything Big Dog USA. That plus experience in match and team play gives Europe an edge. Plus, this time, great players in a deep lineup and lots of lipped-out putts by the United States.
Donn Rutkoff
Oceanside, California
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My thoughts, overall, are that the fans significantly crossed the line and their comments and behavior were inappropriate and way over the top.
Michael Walsh
Ventnor City, New Jersey
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It was actually pretty ho-hum in my view. No rough to speak of and "preferred lies" with soft greens made it a yawn-fest with birdie putts — often very short — from most players on every hole. Putting contests are boring.
Tom Klabunde
Tempe, Arizona
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Was U.S. player payment overblown? European Ryder Cup adviser / insider Paul McGinley spoke of it and the topic provided immense motivation. Regardless if the U.S was motivated by money, or not, the Euros used it accordingly.
Add underdog mentality and obnoxious fan behavior and the Euros feel like the good guys with right on their side. They would not be beaten by greedy, spoiled Americans with their patina of superiority.
Please dump the "envelope rule" and have one assistant captain designated as alternate.
Perhaps rain spoiled U.S. plans, but the greens were perfect British Open speed. Things turned Sunday with speeds up and closer to usual U.S. standards. Mistaken setup Friday and Saturday, but the bottom line was that the Euros had the better team. Stunning play from the Euros in team play, answered from the U.S. in Sunday singles. Wow.
Gary Stauffenberg
Phoenix, Arizona
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The ugly American Ryder Cup. Shameful. The PGA owes every European an apology.
Larry Guli
Palm Beach Gardens. Florida
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Golf fans, the golf industry, and the governing bodies of the game’s Ryder Cup must do better ensuring that defining principles of the game — etiquette, good sportsmanship, and respect for one’s opponents — remain unimpeachable tenets of the competition and the game. Breaching those codes of conduct should result in harsh, immediate penalties.
Examples include expelling unruly spectators in perpetuity from competitions at which they exhibit misconduct and penalizing players for any act deemed unacceptable. Sanctions should range from the loss of a match in which said behavior occurs to banning a player(s) from the next Ryder Cup should the player qualify.
Knowing this egregious behavior stems from sports being a microcosm of life and contemporary living is fraught with boorish behavior, it’s an enormous ask. Everywhere one turns loutish behavior proliferates virtually unrelentingly — from politics to school board meetings, neighbors with differing opinions to anonymous "social media" posts from hateful human cowards and bots.
But paradigm shifting can be a noble, necessary strategy, and golf must be a leader in this critical regard. Otherwise, shame on the game and its leaders and players. You reap what you sow.
Dan Shepherd
Hillsboro, Virginia
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— [Golf Channel's] Eamon Lynch had the best pre-event observation: "Euros had no mysteries for their captain; it was a returning team." This was like a returning Super Bowl champion with only a different punter; a returning World Series winning team with the only change being a middle reliever.
— Brandel Chamblee was completely wrong dismissing the putting differential observation. He said it was like saying a football team won because they scored more touchdowns. There is no comparison between what wins a football game and "the putts were going in" aspect of golf. Seems to be the consensus that this turned into a putting contest, which the Euros dominated — at least for two days.
— That the score ended up close — as roundly predicted — was an example of return to the mean. The Euros' anomalous putting numbers couldn't last forever.
— Final score was 15-13.
Martin Donnelly
Chicagoland, Illinois
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When watching the demise of the U.S. team, I was reminded of my leadership and sports training. What I saw was a focused, well-trained European team that acted like a "team." What I saw with the U.S. team was a lack of "team" and a lack of leadership. After a pairing failed on Friday the plan was to stick with the same pairing on Saturday. OK, so if your plan is failing, you are still going to proceed? You are an idiot or a blind leader.
When I watched the Europeans play, they seemed to be better prepared — fewer missed putts and more adept at recovering from missed shots. The U.S. missed more putts. I suspect the difference was that the Europeans performed more / better focused practice — if we land it here, this is what the putt will look like. The U.S. team looked surprised that the putts didn’t roll the way they anticipated. If they practiced more, then there would be no surprises.
Finally, the arrogance of the U.S. team hit it hard on the first two days. Thinking they have more top-10 players, the U.S. team thought that playing at home with home audience support and world rankings would carry it across the finish line. Scottie Scheffler, Russell Henley, Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas are in the top 5 (Rory McIlroy is No. 2). Europe took the crowd support out by keeping its foot on the gas, lots of preparation and a focus on winning.
We can only hope for a leadership change on the U.S. side for 2027.
Ralph Brown
Vacaville, California
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The 2025 Ryder Cup is now in the books and congratulations to the European team. In the end it was a close match, but the U.S. team unfortunately did not fully show up for the first two days. Keegan Bradley did his best and really should have been on the team as a player and not as a captain this year.
Now the decision is open to who will be the USA Ryder Cup captain in 2027. Does it have to be a PGA Tour player? Thinking outside the box, why not someone who really understands the players, the game and the course setup and conditions.
How about someone like Butch Harmon, Randy Smith or really outside the box with Jim "Bones" Mackay? These individuals certainly know the players, and they might bring a new vision to the USA team.
Jon Michael Brownell
Irvine, California
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Well the promotion and constant encouragement of the organizers, media and even players did what they wanted, which was to bring golf to a new low with the unruly crowds. All should be ashamed of what they did to golf.
Bernard Chapman
Columbia, South Carolina
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The Ryder Cup is an important and valuable treasure to all who love golf. Team golf and playing for country is a quantum leap improvement over the monotony of weekly tour stops. The majors will always be important.
Organizational greed has allowed the Ryder Cup to grow beyond its charm. When crowd behavior becomes the lead story, then it’s time for a change. After the scene in Italy two years ago and with Bethpage on the calendar, we knew this weekend’s crowd would be a problem.
It’s time to make on-course access for fans at the Ryder Cup limited and elite. Create more "viewing areas" off the course where other fans can watch. Picture Wimbledon, the NFL Draft and U.S. Open tennis. Plenty would pay for that. A spot in the infield at the Kentucky Derby is fun even if you can’t physically see the track.
Tony Austin
Orlando, Florida
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What was the PGA thinking when it chose Bethpage for the Ryder Cup? How could it not predict that the boorish New York fans would ruin the event and embarrass the USA? And there was little to nothing done to curtail the unacceptable behavior. You don't see this at The Masters.
Probably most of the attendees were not golfers, but they still managed to give the game a black eye.
I thought that the USGA made the most tournament mistakes. The PGA now has that title.
Bob Coates
Pinehurst, North Carolina
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In watching the Ryder Cup and any associated interviews, the European team had chemistry and a fire that the U.S. team seemed to lack. Not sure if the U.S. team members are more concerned with their individual accomplishments more than the team’s but there just didn’t seem to be any chemistry between them at all.
Jeff Aguirre Sr.
Modesto, California
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I do not feel that the Americans will ever win until they get past the "it's all about me" syndrome and learn how to team with others. I also believe that the U.S. players should abandon the aspect of getting paid to pay. If they can't play one event for their country without getting paid (or can't afford it), then they should recuse themselves from the competition.
The difference between attitudes in the two teams was so glaring. The hype that took place for the entire week on Golf Channel turned out to be way over the top.
John Morgan
Onancock, Virginia
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I can’t imagine why European players come to USA Ryder Cups anymore. They’ve repeatedly demonstrated that they are better golfers, and Americans have repeatedly demonstrated that they’re uncivilized. I cringe at the thought of the civilized world seeing what America is really like.
George Moore
Placitas, New Mexico
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Take a page from the European playbook: Choose a proven, successful leader who is respected by everyone, who can unite a team and inspire them in a humble, low-key manner and assemble a world-class list of vice-captains who are equally dedicated.
That person is Steve Stricker.
Robert Whitney
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
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Golf is supposed to be the epitome of sportsmanship, founded on competitive spirit but also honorable manners and class by players and fans alike. I cannot understand why we Americans do not hold ourselves and our spectators to a higher standard. The heckling not only goes against the spirit of the game but is a classless exhibition during an almost sacred event.
The PGA of America would not stand for it at a PGA championship, so why does it at the Ryder Cup? We cannot control how the Europeans behave when the Ryder Cup is held on their soil, but we can certainly set the example of what should be the standard decorum on ours. We are better than what we currently display.
Scott Martin
Overland Park, Kansas
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Let’s start with the players picked specifically for their skill set.
— Sam Burns: No. 1 putter. He did not play up to his ability. In reality he was the worse putter on the team.
— Harris English: Kind of got run over by Rory Mcllroy and Tommy Fleetwood. He didn’t play up to his potential. Might have played better if he had a better partner.
— Collin Morikawa: Same as English except that Collin was the weaker link on the team. Ball striking is his specialty, but it was missing all season.
— Patrick Cantlay: Played better than expected. He and Xander looked like the winning formula on Day 1.
— Cameron Young: The best player on the team. He should be a huge asset in the future for the U.S.
— Justin Thomas: Played good with Cameron, but he didn’t play up to his ability as a leader. He showed it on occasion, but only when he did something good. A leader leads all the time.
— Ben Griffin: Mostly non existent. He should have played more given that the twosomes the U.S. had were not playing up to their potential.
— Bryson DeChambeau: Swings for the fences too often, which put his twosomes in a tough situation. Played good sometimes, but he needs to play with a good putter.
— JJ Spaun: Played good for a first-time Ryder Cup player. He and Scottie Scheffler paired well and should do so in the future.
— Russell Henley: Played almost as bad as Sam Burns. If he can’t putt any better than he did, then he needs to be benched. With his inability to drive the ball very far, his strength of accuracy and putting has to be spot on. It wasn’t so he was a liability.
— Xander Schauffele: Played better than expected considering how he played all season.
— Scottie Scheffler: Did not play up to his ability. His drives were off target for the most part. He had his B-game most of the time.
Course setup favored the Euros. The rough did not penalize anyone.
— Keegan Bradley: He did OK as a rookie, but he needed to be more decisive on his pairings. After Day 1 he should have tried different pairings instead of keeping them the same. Henley, Morikawa and Harris should have been benched. JJ played good on Day 1 with Scottie and could have played well in alternate shot. Sam has played well with Scottie before. Maybe playing with a familiar face would have helped him.
Overall the team played tight. I believe in the future whomever is chosen as captain should consider resting more players. If Scottie rested more he would have had more time to work on what wasn’t working on Day 1. Bryson needs to work better with his partners. Hitting the ball a mile works great when you are playing individually but in the team format you need to consider the strengths of your teammates.
Final thoughts. The team played their hardest on Day 3. If they put that same effort on Day 1 and Day 2, the outcome could be different.
Mel Howsmon
Vancouver Washington
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Front: Dawn breaks over fans in the first tee grandstand for the Ryder Cup's opening foursomes session at Bethpage State Park's Black Course in Farmingdale, New York, on Sept. 26.
Photo: JJ Tanabe / Golffile