Bradley carries Stars and Stripes to rally Ryder Cup crowd at Bethpage Black

Keegan Bradley carried a U.S. flag up the 18th at Bethpage Black on Thursday, aiming to rally the home crowd on the eve of the Ryder Cup. The United States hosts Europe in the 45th edition of the biennial competition, with Friday morning’s start fast approaching as players from both teams completed their final preparations a day earlier.

Bradley reportedly grabbed the flag from a fan and set off toward the giant grandstand behind the 18th green, waving the Stars and Stripes and urging spectators to raise their voices as he walked the fairway. After reaching the green, he posed for photographs with his father, a young fan and several of his players.

The episode underscored the atmosphere surrounding the 45th Ryder Cup, which begins Friday morning when Team USA meets Europe under the lights and in front of a large, eager home gallery.

On Wednesday, Collin Morikawa urged New York crowds to generate 'absolute chaos' on opening day. He said the aim is for the home support to become a powerful weapon for the Americans if the energy is directed properly. 'At Whistling Straits (in 2021) there was still a little bit of COVID so we had a crowd but it wasn't as big as what they say it's going to be here. I’ll be honest, I think it's kind of tame so far, Tuesday and Wednesday. 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. We want it. Like we want to use that to our advantage. Every sport uses their home crowd to their advantage, and just because we don't play in a setting like this doesn't mean the craziness of New York and the rest of the country that people are traveling in from, it doesn't mean that we can't use that to our advantage.'

Ticketing data and fan interest have reflected the expected intensity of the event. Figures from Viagogo show that about 96 percent of tickets on the resale market have been purchased by fans supporting Team USA, though organizers have not disclosed the precise share of American spectators in the galleries overall. Venue operators and the Ryder Cup committee have projected roughly 50,000 spectators per day across the three competition days.

Bethpage Black, located on Long Island near Farmingdale, N.Y., hosts the event amid heightened attention from golf fans nationwide. The United States team, led by Bradley on the home course, will try to translate crowd energy into points across foursomes, fourball and singles matches as they pursue victory on home soil. Europe, guided by captain Luke Donald, enters the weekend hopeful of reclaiming the trophy on foreign soil but facing a frothing atmosphere unlike many other stops on the PGA Tour schedule.

The Ryder Cup is a test not only of talent but of nerves and discipline in a team format that amplifies momentum swings. The next three days feature a mix of morning and afternoon sessions designed to maximize the drama and the play of both sides. In the lead-up, players emphasized the importance of managing the crowd and maintaining composure amid the heightened environment. Bradley’s Thursday stroll and Morikawa’s call for chaos illustrate the blend of spectacle and sport that define this biennial event. As fans flood the stands and the belligerent energy of a New York crowd takes hold, the matches will test not just skill, but also the teams’ ability to channel atmosphere into performance.

For organizers, security and safety remain priorities even as they lean into the electric atmosphere. Officials have reminded spectators to respect fellow players and keep safety at the forefront, ensuring that the event remains competitive and entertaining for fans and participants alike. The Ryder Cup’s appeal rests on its ability to deliver compelling golf while also providing a showcase for the diplomatic tension and dramatic moments that emerge when team pride is on the line. The coming days will reveal how well Bradley’s gesture and Morikawa’s call to arms translate into momentum on the course and, ultimately, into a result that could shape the trajectory of the cup for years to come.