2025 Ryder Cup: Team USA Dominated In Saturday Afternoon Session As Bethpage Crowd Gets Rowdy

The Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black was supposed to be a golf tournament, not a therapy session for America’s collective frustration. But by Saturday afternoon, you could practically taste the desperation in the Long Island air—and it wasn’t coming from the concession stands.

Europe’s Commanding Lead Silences Doubters

The first time EVER we've won all four sessions away from home 💙#TeamEurope | #OurTimeOurPlace pic.twitter.com/btEYPf4SFr

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 27, 2025

With the scoreboard reading 11.5-4.5 in Europe’s favor after Saturday’s sessions, the writing wasn’t just on the wall—it was spelled out in 72-point font with flashing neon arrows. The Europeans need just 2.5 more points to claim victory, and watching the American team struggle felt like witnessing a slow-motion car crash involving very expensive golf clubs.

You know things are bad when even the notoriously rowdy New York crowds seemed deflated for most of the weekend. These are people who boo Santa Claus as a warm-up exercise, yet they spent the first day and a half looking like they’d rather be anywhere else—maybe stuck in traffic on the Long Island Expressway.

Rory McIlroy Becomes Public Enemy Number One

But if there’s one thing New Yorkers excel at, it is finding a scapegoat when their teams disappoint. Enter Rory McIlroy, who might as well have painted a bullseye on his polo shirt. The Northern Irishman became the walking embodiment of everything frustrating about this Ryder Cup for American fans.

McIlroy, being the competitor he is, couldn’t help but engage with the hostile crowd. Friday saw him flipping the bird at fans—a gesture that probably felt therapeutic in the moment but only poured gasoline on an already smoldering situation. Saturday morning brought the full-throated “Shut the f— up” moment that had social media buzzing faster than a Phil Mickelson gambling story.

“I don’t mind them having a go at us. That’s to be expected,” McIlroy said, showing the kind of diplomatic restraint that would make a UN ambassador proud. “But when I’m trying to hit my shot, that’s the tough thing.”

The Atmosphere Reaches Boiling Point

By Saturday afternoon, Bethpage Black had transformed into something resembling a Roman colosseum, minus the lions but with twice the bloodlust. The course’s natural amphitheater design—with greens nestled in valleys surrounded by hillsides—created perfect conditions for maximum crowd chaos.

Fans started counting out McIlroy’s pre-putt routine like they were timing a shot clock violation. Others unleashed streams of profanity that would make a construction worker blush. Some even crossed the line into personal attacks that had Shane Lowry seeing red and local law enforcement getting involved.

The scene got so intense that McIlroy ended up with an entourage that looked more like a presidential security detail than golf tournament protection. State troopers on foot, on bikes, and even cruising around in golf carts—all to keep one golfer safe from his own sport’s fans.

Europe Feeds Off the Energy

Here’s the thing about hostile crowds: they can either crush your spirit or fuel your fire. For Europe, all that negative energy seemed to work like premium octane in their gas tanks. When McIlroy finally sank a crucial putt on the 14th hole, his celebration wasn’t just joy—it was pure cathartic release.

That moment seemed to flip a switch for the entire European team. Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose cranked up their game against Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau, eventually closing out the world’s top player and social media’s favorite golfer 3&2 on the 16th hole.

The match wasn’t without its own drama. DeChambeau’s caddie apparently stepped into Rose’s putting line on the 15th hole, leading to a heated exchange that probably won’t make it into any etiquette manuals.

America’s Last Stand Falls Short

For the United States, Saturday felt like trying to plug a dam with chewing gum while standing in a hurricane. J.J. Spaun and Xander Schauffele managed to salvage some pride by coming back from 2 down to beat Sepp Straka and Jon Rahm on the final hole—a victory that felt both miraculous and desperately needed.

Meanwhile, Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay fought Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick to a virtual draw before falling on the 18th hole, effectively sealing Europe’s path to victory.

Sunday’s Coronation Awaits

As Saturday’s dust settled and American fans shuffled toward the exits, much to the delight of their European counterparts, one thing became crystal clear: Sunday wouldn’t be a competition; it would be a coronation.

The Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black will be remembered not just for Europe’s dominant performance, but for the day when golf’s traditionally polite galleries turned into something resembling a medieval mob. Whether that’s good or bad for the sport probably depends on your tolerance for chaos and your feelings about McIlroy.

One thing’s certain: the 2025 Ryder Cup proved that even in golf, home-field advantage only works if your team shows up to play.