Anyone signing up for the Ryder Cup?

[BIWI]

Luke Donald is really ramping up how the European team is going to cope with anticipated ‘hate’ from American spectators!

Always a fantastic competition. Back in the day, before Sky etc, there was one year when we had to follow it via Radio 4 and Teletext!

My favourite moment of the Ryder Cup was at Celtic Manor (in the mud). Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods (who famously disliked each other) were playing together against Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy, who famously got on really well. Tiger hated the Ryder Cup and always looked miserable, Phil hated playing with Tiger so they were both trudging round looking like their dogs had just died. They were losing. On a short par 3 Sergio and Rory held hands and literally skipped down the fairway waving to the crowd, who went wild, plunging Phil and Tiger even further into gloom.

I think the fact the Americans get paid and the Europeans don't is a big factor.

Tiger can get in the sea but I have held a soft spot for Phil Mickelson ever since he applauded Justin's putt at Medinah. True excellent sportsman.

I feel the opposite way around 😆 cannot stand Mickelson, do have some time for Tiger!

Yes! I took DH to the Paris event for his 60th. It was an amazing experience - especially as Europe won.

It is hard work though - we had to be up at 5am each day to get there, and it was dark and very cold until the sun came up. And there’s a lot of walking around if you don’t have/want a seat in one of the stands.

What made it so exciting was that it was a very close competition, and watching the giant screens round the course changing colour (before finally turning blue) was great.

I would love to do it again, but I fear the pricing has become extortionate in recent years.

I’m not into golf but Dh is so the Ryder cup was on all day yesterday. I can’t listen to the shouting and jeering from the crowd. They are obnoxious twats. I like Mcilroy and was laughing when he told them to stfu!
But Lowry is the absolute best! I love him.

If Europe win (🙏don't want to tempt fate) then I'll be desperate to hear the excuses those buffons will be coming up with for why their team lost. Can't see them admitting it's because the other side played better.

One of the American players (can’t remember which one, but suspect it might have been Scheffler) said after the first day that the European team had been lucky. Didn’t even have the grace to say how well they had played.

I’ve seen several Americans comment that the course has been made “too easy” and that it favours the Europeans. Cannot get my head around that argument at all!

"Can we play you, can we play you, can we play you every week"
"Shoes off, if you're 5 points up"
"You're French, and you know you are"
Etc, etc, etc 😂
Just hilarious, especially watching glum and frankly confused American faces who can only chant "USA" three times!

Allegedly it has been made easier by Keegan Bradley’s involvement in changing the course, by cutting back the rough:

https://www.balls.ie/golf/ryder-cup-usa-keegan-bradley-error-640768

Haha I never understand this argument in tennis either when one player claims they lost because of the court conditions or the heat or the Wimbledon grass was too slippery...but um, your opponent is playing on the same court with the same conditions.

Still I guess they've got to tell themselves something otherwise someone might try and suggest that the other side just played better 😳.

I was too scared to watch on day 1 but the best thing was watching the highlights and chat afterwards with the American pundits praising the Europeans!

Yesterday was out and about and kept refreshing the app to see the scores; as if that was somehow safer!

Probably watch the singles tonight though.

Isn't Keegan Bradley "not a team player" personality? Or am i thinking of someone else? Would have thought that would make him being captain not ideal.

I’ve been to a few professional golf events (not RC) and you see very little actual golf, but as a day out to soak up some good vibes and atmosphere it’s fun

We went to see the liv golf earlier this year. You get to see a lot of golf in a shorter (5hr) day and it’s great. Would recommend it as a day out if you like golf.
as for the Ryder Cup this weekend Europe have been superb, their supporters are funny and the USA don’t seem to be able to cope with either.

I would LOVE to take DH to either the Open or Ryder Cup for his 50th - how do I make it happen? Is booking an organised trip the best way or can I get tickets to put my own trip together?

There are specialist golf holiday companies who will organise it for you @doubleshift - which means you’re guaranteed to get tickets. (Sorry, I can’t remember which one I used).

Ours organised not only the RC tickets, but also the hotel (I think we were given a choice of 3), and travel.

You can put your name in for the ballot for regular tickets or buy more expensive hospitality ones.

@BIWI I can highly recommend this company.
www.teetheworld.co.uk/

Real specialists and extremely reliable/fairly priced.

However they only sell via agents so you would need to use an ATOL bonded travel agent.
(Retired travel director here)

I’ve not watched it all but found myself very intrigued by a lot of it.

I think the American crowd have been nothing short of disgusting. Very happy to see we are stuffing them.

You may be thinking of someone else but Keegan Bradley really didn’t come across well in Full Swing on Netflix. He was just moaning about not being picked for the last Ryder Cup.

I have bought tickets for DH to go to the Open before now for Royal Birkdale and Latham and IIRC, it wasn’t that hard. There’s a ticket ballot which has closed for 2026, so if that’s when you want to go, your best bet is one of their packages, cheapest of which is ticket plus but that’s still over £300 per day and £360 for the final day. But you can register interest for 2027 for St Andrews. There’s always higher demand for St Andrews.

Are we sitting tight for this afternoon? I didn’t see this thread earlier.

I think the USA crowds are very raucous but our team knew they would be and have done all sorts of things to keep them focused. Exceptional planning from Luke Donald and others. However the USA management need to remove people shouting out personal insults when players are addressing the ball. It’s poor by RC standards!

Keegan Bradley was chosen to be the younger face of American golf but, as has happened before, lots of USA golfers don’t get what being in a team is all about. When Tiger Woods was in his pomp, he just wasn’t a great Ryder Cup player. Far lower ranked EU players rise to the occasion. Lots of USA players struggle to be team players and probably don’t respect their captain and he’s making mistakes - probably due to lack of experience.

Are we sitting tight for this afternoon? I didn’t see this thread earlier.

Certainly are and have got snacks and wine at the ready.

I didn't even know we had a sports section. Had to Google MN Ryder Cup to see if there was a thread!