The headline on the home page of The Guardian’s landing page sucked me in: “Home fans turn up heat on Donald at fiery Ryder Cup opening ceremony.” I clicked on it. Ah, “Luke Donald” not the other one.
Kook Donald was recovering from his trip to the UN on Tuesday after what he said in a 327-word social media rant: “Not one, not two, but three very sinister events!” There was escalatorgate when he and his immigrant wife arrived at the UN. Then the teleprompter went “stone cold dark”. The third was that the sound at the UN was bad.
Kooks asked his missus how he had done in his speech. “I couldn’t hear a word you said,” said the women Secret Service agents have nicknamed Rapunzel because she stays in her own personal tower at the White House.
Kook Donald wasn’t booed at the UN after telling the rest of the world their countries were going to hell, that he knew a guy who could put marble on the floors of the building and then hoped they would all come to the Los Angeles Olympics. The booing was reserved for Luke Donald, the captain of Europe on Wednesday at an opening ceremony that was held a day earlier because of the possibility of a storm at Bethpage Black on Thursday.
Donald was booed by what one observer described as “tens of thousands of liquored-up golf fans”, but, as The Guardian noted, his reception was “a warm welcome compared to the one they gave New York state’s governor, the Democrat Kathy Hochul, who was jeered so loudly that her short speech was just about drowned out. Donald should maybe think about bringing her in as a last‑minute vice-captain, just to draw the fire away from his team.”
Europe’s captain scored the first points of the competition when he brought up the pay for play issue, which has been a constant theme for the US team, who will be getting $200K a piece to play, plus $300K to donate to a charity.
“The Ryder Cup means so much to each and every one of us. It is unlike anything else in our sport. It is not about prize money or ranking points, it’s about pride, representing your flag, your shirts and the legacy you leave behind. We are fuelled by something money cannot buy — purpose, brotherhood and a responsibility to honour those who came before us while inspiring those whose time is yet to come.”
‘Expect absolute chaos’
Europe 1-0 up before a shot has been played? Perhaps. Bethpage promises to be a rough ride for the Europeans. Justin Rose said: “New Yorkers are crazy, and I think they become sort of caricatures of themselves. I think they feel like they have to live up to that reputation. So, fully expect absolute chaos out there.”
Collin Morikawa said he was disappointed the US fans had not gone harder, these were the spectators who booed Rory McIlroy during his practice rounds this week. You need to warm up your booing muscles: “I’ll be honest, I think it’s kind of tame so far. I hope Friday is just absolute chaos. I’m all for it. I think it feeds into who we are and the American players and the American team.”
Does this mean a repeat of 1999 and the Battle of Brookline? Sam Torrance, captain of Europe in 1999, wrote of Sunday’s play when the US team ran on to the 17th green after Justin Leonard’s long putt: “It was the most disgraceful and disgusting day in the history of professional golf. The spectators behaved like animals and some of the American players, most notably Tom Lehman, acted like madmen.”
José María Olazábal was yet to putt for a half when the US team ran on to the green to celebrate, trampling all over his line. It was a “day of shame that refuses to die” as one headline put it. Ian O’Connor in the Athletic wrote this could be “the fight of the century without the punches. Ali-Frazier without the pain”.
It starts at 1.30pm SA time on Friday. By Sunday, they may have to rename the course Bethpage Black and Blue. Let’s get ready to rumble.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.