Ryder Cup chaos as New York crowd hurls Ozempic jibes at Europe; WAGs warned away

New York’s Bethpage Black hosted the Ryder Cup amid a markedly hostile atmosphere, with Team Europe confronted by a raucous home crowd that booed and hurled insults at its players. The intimidation included jibes about Ozempic, and officials warned that the wives and girlfriends accompanying the European team should stay away from the course amid fears of abuse.

Gates opened to spectators on Tuesday as Europe’s stars began arriving for practice rounds, but the mood was less about preparation than a display of partisan energy. Masters champion Rory McIlroy greeted the traveling fans with a wave, only to be drowned out by cheers and jeers as he moved through the first tee area. Jon Rahm, a two-time major winner, faced a harsher reception, with the crowd riding him from the outset and shouting a quip that referenced the Ozempic joke many in the stands had heard.

Ahead of competition, Europe’s captain Luke Donald acknowledged the difficulty of the atmosphere and said he has taken steps to prepare his team for every possible scenario. He has used headsets that replay insulting messages and even staged paid actors to heckle players, aimed at conditioning them to maintain composure under pressure. “I think my job as captain is to prepare the guys for every scenario,” Donald said, detailing the multifaceted approach used to ready the squad for New York’s energy.

Rahm, speaking about the challenge, noted that the team had discussed what they might have done differently and how to adapt to the crowd’s energy. He said the preparation was focused on maintaining focus and composure, recognizing that the atmosphere is a separate test even before the opening shots.

Veteran Ryder Cup participant Ian Poulter, describing the atmosphere he witnessed in America, called the scene “complete and utter embarrassing stupidity.” Poulter recalled some of the on-course taunts from past trips and suggested that the level of crowd interaction in the United States is nothing like what players experience in Europe. He also joked about the intense pressure, saying there were moments he would have liked a temporary gadget to blunt the noise, underscoring the severity of the environment while stressing that European support remains respectful when fans aren’t taunting players.

The crowd’s intensity is not surprising given the Ryder Cup history in recent years. Europe are vying to become only the fifth team to win the Ryder Cup on American soil, a feat last achieved when they claimed victory in Rome two years ago. The United States counters with a roster featuring several top contenders, including Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Xander Schauffele, a trio widely regarded as formidable in this format.

As the weekend action looms, the overarching narrative centers on how players adapt to a charged environment that has already defined the event’s early days. The on-course drama will unfold over foursomes and four-ball matches, with both teams hoping to convert preparation into success when the real competition begins.