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Thursday, February 26, 2026

Beckham mocked as fans jeer during Ryder Cup celebrity match

Europe team member Brooklyn Beckham endures a rough round at Bethpage Black as USA celebrities prevail in opening round

Sports 5 months ago
Beckham mocked as fans jeer during Ryder Cup celebrity match

Brooklyn Beckham endured a humiliating moment at the Ryder Cup celebrity match on Wednesday, with fans at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, repeatedly mocking the Europe team member as he played alongside former basketball star Toni Kukoč against Eli Manning and Colin Jost of the United States.

The 11-hole match marked the first round of a celebrity playoff featuring a cross-section of famous athletes and entertainers. Beckham, 26, was part of Team Europe, while Manning and Jost teamed for Team USA. The event drew attention not only for its star power but also for the lighthearted, high-pressure atmosphere that accompanies Ryder Cup exhibitions.

Beckham’s round was described by observers as challenging from the outset. He lost a golf ball on an early swing and had to wait while teammates searched for it beyond the three-minute limit, an incident that set a visibly tense tone. Throughout the outing, Beckham repeatedly sent balls out of bounds and found himself stuck in bunker after bunker, prompting mockery from some onlookers who urged him to “learn quickly” and questioned his level of talent. One spectator asked Toni Kukoč if Beckham’s struggles were making him look small, underscoring the social dynamic of a high-profile event where fans often root for the more renowned figures on the other side.

Midway through the round, the mood around Beckham remained unsettled. The caddy provided support, patting him on the back after difficult shots, while a teammate offered encouragement between holes. Still, the conspicuous absence of cheers for Beckham contrasted with louder fan reactions for Manning and Jost, who carried the USA team’s momentum in a matchup that ultimately helped seal the round for the Americans.

The final score in the Beckham–Kukoč vs. Manning–Jost pairing was 7.5 to 3.5 in favor of Manning and Jost. When the results of the other celebrity pairings across the day were tallied, Team USA stretched its lead, with a closing tally of 25 to 19 over Team Europe. The lineup of celebrity participants also included Michael Strahan, Miranda Lambert, Kane Brown, Bobby Flay, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Tom Felton, Pau Gasol, Noah Kahan, Oliver Phelps, John McEnroe, Teemu Selänne and José Andrés.

In remarks following the round, Beckham reflected on the experience as a fun but nerve-wracking outing. He said he understood the reception would be mixed and that his lack of formal golf training contributed to the outcome. He described the event as a unique and enjoyable opportunity, noting that he had only weeks of golf experience but valued the chance to participate alongside well-known figures in a Ryder Cup setting. Beckham emphasized his gratitude for family support, stating that his wife remains a steady source of backing as they navigate public attention and personal narratives surrounding their relationship.

Beckham’s public comments touched on the broader personal context surrounding his life off the course. Reports circulating in media the night of the event suggested tensions within the Beckham family, with coverage noting that Beckham and Nicola Peltz had renewed their vows earlier in the summer, and that the couple had reportedly spent time apart from some family members. Beckham did not address those reports directly in his interview, instead focusing on the positive aspects of joining the event and the camaraderie he found with his teammate and caddy during the round. The Daily Mail reported on the family dynamics surrounding Beckham, but the celebrity golf event itself continued to spotlight his participation rather than speculation about personal matters.

For fans, the Ryder Cup celebrity format provided a mix of showmanship and competition, with many watching for the chance to see public figures take on tough golf courses and high-profile opponents. While Beckham faced a difficult day on the fairways, the event as a whole showcased a broad cross section of talent beyond professional golf, highlighting the entertainment dimension that Ryder Cup organizers have emphasized in recent years.

Whichever way the crowd leaned, the day concluded with Manning and Jost as the clear winners of their match, and the USA’s overall lead in the celebrity series extended, reflecting a larger narrative of Team USA’s advantage in this edition’s celebrity format. Beckham’s participation, though marred by a rough round, added a compelling chapter to a weekend of event-filled golf that fans and participants alike will remember for its blend of sport and spectacle.


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