Ryder Cup players are introduced to their fans | Photo by Troi Santos
BETHPAGE, NY – The Ryder Cup is never subtle, and Bethpage Black would not have it any other way. On Thursday, the 45th edition of golf’s fiercest rivalry opened with the kind of noise only New York can produce, setting the stage for three days of heat, heckling, and history.
Carson Daly, kicking off the show, set the tone immediately: “Welcome to the 45th Ryder Cup! Let me hear you! We’ve got great energy, great suspense. There is nothing like the Ryder Cup!” His voice carried across the Long Island crowd, reminding them this was not just golf, but theater. Later, he leaned into the setting: “What an absolute honor it is to be here today at Bethpage State Park on Long Island, surrounded by all of you guys here for this unforgettable event.”
Beside him, Kira Dixon matched the energy, calling Bethpage what locals already know: “The state of New York, the Dark Knight, the golf course, Bethpage, Europe, America, the Ryder Cup — it’s incredible!” And she made clear who she felt made the difference: “I’m going to say the fans are my absolute favorite part of the Ryder Cup.”
The course, the fans, and the trophy itself became the ceremony’s spine. Montages stitched together nearly a century of Ryder Cup lore, from Justin Leonard’s miracle at Brookline to Rome’s celebrations two years ago. The crowd roared as Samuel Ryder’s four-pound cup, carried in with reverence, was framed not just as hardware but as a vessel of memory and identity.
Luke Donald walked to the podium with quiet poise. His words reminded the crowd that Europe’s bond is not just sport, but shared purpose: “We play for our families, our teammates, our countries, and for the generations before us who made this event what it is today.” He did not attempt to hide the scale of the task: “Make no mistake, our players are ready. Every one of them has earned their spot not through entitlement but through excellence.” And then he laid down the defiant line that drew cheers even from neutral fans: “We didn’t come here just to be a part of the show. We came here to earn our place in Ryder Cup folklore.”
Donald then introduced his men: Ludvig Åberg, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Rasmus Højgaard, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Robert MacIntyre, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, and Sepp Straka. When he finished, the European flag rose as “Ode to Joy” played, the team standing shoulder to shoulder. Their anthem was less about melody than message, a continent as one.
Keegan Bradley followed with his own story, one born just miles away. His voice carried the rhythm of a local kid who made it back home: “The Ryder Cup isn’t just about golf. It’s about pride. It’s about legacy, about standing shoulder to shoulder with your teammates who believe in each other, fight for each other, and understand that this is bigger than any one of us.” He reminded the crowd of the atmosphere that was coming: “We know the atmosphere this weekend will be electric, raucous, and yes, respectful.” And he closed with a pledge to the locals who once caught him sneaking onto Bethpage: “Bethpage Black is known as the people’s country club. It’s been called New York’s home course. But this week, with your passion and your energy, you’re going to make it America’s home course.”
Then came the introductions: Sam Burns, Patrick Cantlay, Bryson DeChambeau, Harris English, Russell Henley, Ben Griffin, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, J.J. Spaun, Justin Thomas, Scottie Scheffler, and Cameron Young. As each name was called, chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” rolled across the gallery, echoing off the grandstands.
When the Stars and Stripes began to climb, Long Island’s Mike DelGiudice launched into the national anthem. The crowd rose in full voice, and as he reached the high notes, three helicopters thundered overhead in a flyby, rotors chopping the September air. The synchronized pass sent another surge through the gallery, matching the moment with unfiltered New York passion.
During the ceremony, the stage paused for acknowledgments, and the roll of thanks stretched wide. Governor Kathy Hochul and her team were singled out for their efforts in helping prepare Bethpage, joined by Hope Knight of Empire State Development and State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. The six branches of the U.S. military stood recognized, as did local law enforcement, first responders, and the New York State Parks team. Officials of Ryder Cup Europe and the PGA of America, past and present, received a standing ovation. Junior Ryder Cup captains Susie Whaley and Steve Gallacher, along with their players, were introduced, along with the 2025 European and U.S. All-Star teams. Bradley and Donald both turned personal, thanking their wives, Jillian and Diane, their children, Logan, Cooper, Gigi, Sophia, and Ellie, as well as the families and partners of every player. Donald introduced his vice captains, Thomas Bjørn, Eduardo Molinari, Francesco Molinari, Alex Norén, and José María Olazábal. At the same time, Bradley named Jim Furyk, Kevin Kisner, Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, and Gary Woodland. Caddies and backroom staff on both sides were praised, as were the mentors who shaped Bradley’s career, including Dr. Glenn Marocca and the members at Wheatley Hills Golf Club, as well as his St. John’s teammates and Coach Darby. Even Ryder Cup great Larry Nelson, serving as a U.S. ambassador this week, was called out in gratitude. The applause came in waves, the crowd alternating cheers and chants, the spirit of recognition folding into the spectacle.
For Filipino golf fans, the roster carried special weight. J.J. Spaun, a Filipino-American making his Ryder Cup debut, stood as the first player of Filipino descent to represent the U.S. in this competition. His rise, from mini-tour survivor to PGA Tour winner, has been defined by persistence. He does not arrive with Scheffler’s profile or Thomas’s résumé, but in a week where rookies often become legends, Spaun embodies possibility. For many watching from Manila to Queens, his presence alone is validation. If he scores points, it will resonate far beyond Bethpage.
The evening ended with flags snapping in the breeze, military honors presented, and both anthems played back-to-back. Europe’s Ode to Joy bled into America’s Star-Spangled Banner, the two sides locked in tradition before the first ball is even struck.
This Ryder Cup will be loud, relentless, and unforgiving. Bethpage Black is too tough, the fans too close, and the stakes too high. The Americans are looking to protect home soil, and the Europeans are chasing one of the rarest prizes in golf, an away win in New York.
What began as a scripted ceremony is now about to tilt into something unscripted, pressure, momentum, and the possibility of another unforgettable chapter. Bethpage is ready, New York is ready, and for Filipinos, so is Spaun, carrying not just U.S. colors, but a heritage now stitched into Ryder Cup history.
