Bethpage’s first tee under the spotlight as Ryder Cup nerves meet New York crowd

Bethpage Black will host the 2025 Ryder Cup, scheduled for Sept. 26-28, with a first tee area that has long been a focal point for nerves and drama. The tournament site will seat about 5,000 spectators in a stand that, according to observers, resembles a cross between a major venue and a London Stadium-like structure. The setup skims the back of the opening tee and the adjacent 18th green, a configuration that has sparked debate about whether the broader home-team advantage is enhanced or diminished by the geometry. Tommy Fleetwood summed up the mood, saying the first tee is a cool scene, and that nerves are part of the ritual no matter how you stage it.

The contrast with recent Ryder Cups is pronounced. In 2023 the first tee roared as a cauldron of noise and color, with thousands of fans filling towers and music echoing across the course. This year officials have described Bethpage as potentially less claustrophobic, while the energy on the practice days has still felt vibrant and engaged. A practice-day chorus of pantomime boos greeted Rory McIlroy as he walked onto the first tee, yet the European team used the moment to sign autographs and mingle with fans along the walk between greens and tees. The venue’s size and the stand’s shape have shifted the atmosphere away from the tight, tunnel-like feel of some past openings toward a spacious, more diffuse buzz.

The US squad’s experience at Ryder Cups in recent years has shown that the first hole can set a tone, but players insist it does not decide outcomes. Fleetwood’s reflection on the new setup was tempered by memory: while the nerves remain, the first tee remains a moment to be embraced rather than feared. Europe’s rookies are preparing to navigate the scene with similar poise; Rasmus Hojgaard, set to compete as a rookie, warned that his first-tee moment could be the week’s most nerve-wracking. In contrast, American fans already know how to amplify the moment, and Bryson DeChambeau demonstrated the crowd’s appetite on the practice range by hammering several drives toward the green, soaking in the applause and responding with a confident showmanship that has become part of his personality.

The European team, under captain Luke Donald, has chosen a measured approach to the week’s early months. Rather than a large, overt display of fealty to fans, the players have leaned into a steady, friendly demeanor. On Wednesday they signed hundreds of autographs and posed for selfies during a largely convivial practice session at Bethpage, a move designed to soften the atmosphere and demonstrate respect for the New York crowd. Donald’s leadership has been framed as a purposeful balance between showing appreciation for the supporters and preserving competitive focus. The players understand the fans are integral to the Ryder Cup experience, but they also recognize that the tournament’s momentum will come from performance on the course.

The atmosphere has also tangled with broader questions about the weekend’s potential tinderbox energy. There has been speculation about a high-profile appearance by a U.S. president or other public figures, which some fear could intensify partisan feelings. The current narrative around Bethpage centers on channeling that energy into competitive vigor rather than inflaming tensions. For spectators like long-time locals who attended practice rounds with their children, the week is about enjoying the stars and the sport first, then measuring the crowd’s enthusiasm when the real competition begins.

Inquiries about how Europe will respond to the home crowd have produced a carefully calibrated approach. Player comments and public statements have emphasized respect for the game and the fans, while also acknowledging the importance of the atmosphere to the Ryder Cup’s drama. A veteran sense of humor and resilience under pressure have been highlighted as key traits for the European team as they seek to convert early-season nerves into late-week performance. Morikawa, among the Americans, spoke of Friday’s expected chaos as something to welcome, describing it as a source of motivation and unity for his team. He and others have suggested that the best way to use the crowd is to stay focused and let the golf speak for itself.

The two sides have also acknowledged the social dynamics outside the ropes. In the lead-up to Friday’s schedule, fans are already mapping their days around live commentary and in-play clips, with an eye toward the weekend’s action. The event’s scheduling calls for live text commentary and in-play clips on the BBC Sport website from mid-morning, with radio coverage and online highlights to follow. The public-facing nature of the Ryder Cup—the way fans participate, how players interact, and how the home course’s design affects play—adds a level of theater to a tournament that, at its core, remains a test of golf under pressure.

As Bethpage prepares to host, the question remains whether the first tee will intimidate Europe or become a backdrop for memorable moments of skill and sportsmanship. Early indications suggest the latter: a vibrant but controlled ambiance that allows the players to display their best golf while engaging with a crowd that seems determined to play its part in what promises to be a compelling Ryder Cup. The event is on track for a dramatic weekend that could influence both the narrative of the competition and the way future Ryder Cups are staged at this storied New York course.