What’s gone wrong at Bethpage Black for the Americans?

It’s a blowout! After two days at the Ryder Cup, the Europeans are POURING it on, leading 11.5 to 4.5 and entering Sunday’s singles matches just 2.5 points (or two wins and a halve) away from retaining the Ryder Cup. It was a weird, wild, TENSE day at Bethpage, so let’s start the conversation right there… 

1. Did the crowds “cross a line” at Bethpage on Saturday? 

James Colgan, news and features editor (@jamescolgan26): Yeah, they did. But, I don’t know, I’m not that upset about it? The energy and tenacity of this event is most of what makes it so special. The chaos of an active (and at times antagonizing) audience is incredible and incredibly unique. As with everything else in life, some losers take things too far. I’d rather a Ryder Cup that sounds like a rock concert than a church service.

Dylan Dethier, senior writer (@dylan_dethier): Luke Donald articulated it well in his post-round press conference when he outlined the two categories of fans crossing the line. The first is making noise while players are actually hitting their shot. The second is getting personal. It’s too intimate a setting for that kind of stuff; if you’re yelling about a player’s family while that player and their family are right there? That gets gross pretty fast. So yeah, there were a whole bunch of instances of line-crossing and there were a whole bunch of people in the crowd grimacing at that stuff. But a lot of the atmosphere was actually … pretty awesome? It’s sports! Every time the fans went harder at the Europeans, the Europeans did more miraculous stuff.

Sean Zak, senior writer (@sean_zak): I feel like you gents covered it well. What I was amazed at is just how infectious those three words became today: F–k you, Rory. I heard them hundreds of times. 

2. Who’s responsible for the Euro dominance? No repeat answers!

Colgan: Perhaps the better question is: Who isn’t? I’ll go with Rory McIlroy, who has been undefeated, absolutely terrifying, and completely full of life. For my money, Rory’s performances at the Ryder Cup will become a large part of his enduring image as a golfer — and this week, well, he added a highly memorable chapter.

Dethier: Tommy Fleetwood. He’s 4-0-0, for one thing. His vibes are immaculate. He’s so universally beloved that even the American fans had a tough time rooting against him. He won the FedEx Cup a month ago and just stays winning.

Zak: Lemme go with David Garland, Luke Donald and Dodo Molinari. Together they seem to have everyone involved with Team Europe’s attention. Garland is a longtime DP World Tour staffer who every player has a strong relationship with. He’s a back-room guy who everyone seems to converse with in the moments before the matches. Then there’s the guys getting more credit, like Donald for his captaincy and Molinari for his statistical mind. It’s all part of the whole package. 

3. Who’s to blame for the American debacle? Same rules!

Colgan: The lawnmowers! Course setup is supposed to be a major ADVANTAGE of having a home Ryder Cup. Somehow, the Americans made it feel the opposite. The lack of true Bethpage rough turned the course into a putting contest … and the Americans weren’t ready for a putting contest.

Dethier: The Europeans! They made an absolute truckload of birdies. Look, this will be a two-year conversation and there are plenty more answers. But it has been remarkable to watch just how well these Europeans have played together. The stats suggest they’ve ham-and-egged the hell out of these matches, too. It’s been a masterclass.

Zak: It feels cheap to single out Scottie Scheffler, but I’m abiding by the rules. The greatest player on earth has played like … the No. 30 player in the world. That difference is everything when you get sent out every session and Rahm, Fleetwood and McIlroy are ballin’. 

4. What’s the best Sunday singles match?

Colgan: Cam Young vs. Justin Rose, and not just because it might be the only match that takes place before the Cup has been more or less decided. Young has been the lone bright spot for the Americans this week; Rose has been an ageless wonder for the Euros (remember when he was an ageless wonder two years ago in Rome?). Young won’t turn the tide of Ryder Cup week, but he could send a major message with that start.

Dethier: Rory McIlroy vs. Scottie Scheffler. This has been the season of Rory and Scottie. Rory won at Pebble, at TPC Sawgrass, at Augusta, in Ireland — and now in an away Ryder Cup. Scottie won basically everything else, a half-dozen events in all including two majors. But now McIlroy’s 3-0-1 at this Ryder Cup and Scheffler’s an unthinkable 0-4-0. Forget the overall score; they’re both going to want this one bad.

Zak: I think Xander Schauffele vs. Jon Rahm is going 18 holes. And I think it’ll be tasty the entire time.

5. What’s the final score?

Colgan: 21.5-7.5. The romp ends with a stomping, and the Americans suddenly wonder if a “new vision” for Ryder Cup leadership involves tearing the whole thing down.

Dethier: [Whispers] Lot of golf left, gang. If the U.S. can just … ehh, never mind. It’s not gonna happen. But I do think Team USA will feel comfier in the friendly confines of individual competition and win Sunday Singles 7.5-4.5 to give us a 16-12 final — a much closer final result than it ever felt.

Zak: 18-10, and you know what that means. A full 5-session sweep for Team Europe.

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