Most volatile Ryder Cup in years opens amid Trump-led frenzy as McIlroy faces DeChambeau and a rowdy New York crowd

Bethpage Black in New York is hosting the Ryder Cup for the first time in years with a charged atmosphere that organizers have described as the most volatile in memory. A high-profile Trump appearance is adding to the electric mood as Europe and the United States prepare to resume their long-running rivalry. The three-day match-play event begins Friday, with play scheduled to start at 7:10 a.m. local time (12:10 p.m. UK time).

European captain Luke Donald has sought to neutralize the hostility with a low-drama approach: autographs, quiet focus and a deliberate avoidance of feeding the media circus. He has urged his players to stay out of the press fray and to concentrate on the matches rather than the surrounding chatter. The format remains the same as in recent editions: 28 points are up for grabs over three days, with eight points available on the opening day—four foursomes, where two players share one ball and alternate shots, and four fourball matches, where each player plays their own ball.

Friday’s schedule sets the tone: four foursomes matches starting at 12:10 p.m. UK time, followed by four fourball matches at 5:25 p.m. UK time. The weekend adds two more sessions of alternately composed foursomes and fourballs on Saturday, and a 12-match singles crescendo on Sunday, when all 12 players from each side participate and every match carries a point.

The presence of Donald Trump in the afternoon fourballs session has intensified the atmosphere, with security and logistics heightening the sense of a spectacle beyond golf alone. Officials say he will not roam the fairways or tee boxes, but his attendance is certain to magnify the crowd’s energy. On the American side, some players have encouraged a pumped-up environment — Collin Morikawa has called for “absolute chaos” and “craziness” — while the European camp aims to blunt that energy with composure. Jon Rahm’s recent interactions with chants of “Ozempic” drew a smile from the Spaniard, who described the moment as “very funny.” Rory McIlroy, the European face of the event, is expected to bear the brunt of the noise, though his rivals say the taunts may only sharpen the challenge.

The two teams meet at a moment when the Ryder Cup is often decided by small moments and mental resilience as much as sheer talent. Europe’s lineup includes McIlroy, Rahm and other major contenders, plus Justin Rose and Bob MacIntyre, with 11 of the 12 players who won Rome in 2023 back in action. The sole change from Rome is Rasmus Højgaard stepping in for Nicolai Højgaard, reflecting Donald’s emphasis on balance and breadth of talent. Europe’s depth is highlighted by a blend of major champions and consistent performers who have formed a cohesive unit in recent seasons.

The United States arrive led by a generation of players who have dominated recent majors and ranked among the world’s top players. The roster includes Scottie Scheffler, Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, and a host of other majors winners, with Keegan Bradley’s leadership viewed as a stabilizing factor after a year of turnover and debate over strategy. The depth on both sides underscores why this Ryder Cup is being described as among the most consequential in decades: the Americans have not lost on home soil for many years, while the European squad is eager to deliver an away victory that would redefine the contest’s balance of power.

Historically, away wins have been rare. Europe has seldom converted on foreign soil in recent editions, and the United States has not won on the road since 1993. The latest edition in Rome produced a strong European showing, reinforcing Donald’s premise that momentum could shift with the right mix of pairings and late-charging singles. McIlroy has emphasized the historical stakes, saying: “We are playing for history. Winning another away Ryder Cup would be one of the greatest accomplishments of my career.”

The week’s broader context includes a debate about how much the event’s authenticity and drama should be shaped by external noise. Donald’s approach contrasts with a more provocative storyline around the US side, where some players have welcomed the upheaval while others hope to keep focus on the golf. The dynamic is part of what has made this Ryder Cup one of the most anticipated in years, with the potential for memorable duels such as McIlroy versus Scheffler or DeChambeau testing a quiet, relentless European defense.

What fans will remember come Sunday is the balance of nerves against nerve, the skill on display in tight matches, and the potential for a startling upset that could tilt the Cup’s trajectory for years to come. As the crowd roars and the players step to the first tee, golf’s most famous team competition faces a test not just of shot-making, but of poise under pressure and the ability to translate a charged atmosphere into points on the board.