Hochul booed at Ryder Cup opening ceremony on Long Island

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul faced sustained boos on Wednesday as she attended the Ryder Cup opening ceremony at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, N.Y., a marquee event in the golf calendar that pitted the United States against Europe. The ceremony drew tens of thousands of fans ahead of the United States’ matchup against Europe, underscoring a moment when politics and sport intersect in a highly visible setting.

Hochul walked onto the stage to a chorus of jeers as Carson Daly introduced her, attempting to defuse the moment by noting she was not the NFL’s commissioner. The crowd’s taunts persisted, with attendees shouting phrases such as You’re the worst and Get outta here Kathy as speakers on stage acknowledged Hochul. The moment set a tense tone for the ceremony as fans weighed politics alongside the pageantry of golf’s team event.

Hochul then urged the crowd to give an ovation for Team USA, a move that briefly dampened the mood before the jeers resumed. When U.S. Ryder Cup team captain Keegan Bradley spoke later, boos followed each time Hochul was mentioned, reflecting the crowd’s divided sentiment rather than a single moment of disapproval. Other speakers who referenced Hochul were met with renewed jeers as the audience wrestled with the political undercurrents surrounding the event.

Daly’s departure remark, described in some outlets as a quip that it went well, circulated on social media as the opening spectacle continued to draw attention beyond the ceremony itself. The Athletic and other outlets noted the moment as part of how the crowd processed the appearance of a high-profile political figure at a sporting event of global interest.

Upstate Rep. Elise Stefanik, a potential challenger to Hochul next year, weighed in on social media with a message that referenced the moment, urging action with the line FIRE HOCHUL, SAVE NEW YORK. The post underscored how the Ryder Cup moment was perceived in a broader political context on Long Island, a region whose partisan balance has been shifting in recent years.

In a statement, Hochul’s office framed the appearance as part of a long-term plan to bring large-scale golf events to New York. The spokesperson said the governor is proud to bring three elite golf tournaments to the state over the next decade and remains committed to delivering a world-class experience for the more than 250,000 spectators who will enjoy Bethpage State Park and the region in the years ahead.

Political analysts have noted that Long Island has grown more competitive politically in recent cycles, with Republican strength increasing in some parts of the region. The reception at the Ryder Cup opening ceremony was cited by several observers as a sign of the broader political friction that can surface at major sporting events, especially when high-profile politicians attend.

The Ryder Cup ceremony on Wednesday marked the event’s kickoff ahead of the U.S. vs. Europe matchup, a highly anticipated competition that draws a global audience. The scene on Long Island highlighted how politics can intersect with sports at moments that attract international media attention and local fan energy alike.


As the event progresses, spectators and commentators will continue watching not only for golf drama but for how political appearances at such events are perceived in a state that is often seen as a Democratic stronghold at the statewide level yet shows uneven partisan dynamics in local and regional contests. The Ryder Cup’s long-standing appeal in New York and the surrounding region means the optics of today’s moments will be reflected in the broader political conversation in the days to come.