Ryder Cup Opens With Glitzy Ceremony as WAG Fashion Steals Spotlight at Bethpage

The Ryder Cup officially opened with a glitzy ceremony at Bethpage State Park's Black Course in Farmingdale, New York, drawing attention not only to the players but to the wives and girlfriends who arrived in coordinated outfits to support their teams. European WAGs wore striking all-white ensembles, while Team USA counterparts chose classic navy as they posed for photos ahead of the competition. The fashion moment has become a regular feature of the biennial event, with support staff and partners often traveling far to attend and sometimes coordinating outfits with players.

The ceremony also signaled the tournament’s high expectations for a lively weekend on Long Island. The Black Course at Bethpage is known for its challenging layout and has hosted major championships in the past, including a U.S. Open. With large crowds anticipated, organizers expected energy to be high both on and off the course. US captain Keegan Bradley stood on stage on Wednesday as Luke Donald led a European team aiming to defend a trophy won away from home in 2023 at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome. The pairing of a familiar course with a worldwide fan base helped set the tone for what’s expected to be a dramatic few days of golf and pageantry.

As the ceremony progressed, WAGs were seen throughout the event, often moving between holes and VIP areas, signaling their ongoing presence for the weekend. Many attendees have built public profiles in their own right, working as models, influencers, or entrepreneurs, and their appearances have become part of the Ryder Cup’s broader spectacle. The pairing of style and sport underscored a broader trend in golf’s flagship event, where fashion and celebrity presence complement the competition on the fairways.

Amid the spectacle, the event’s political moment drew attention as well. New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat and vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, faced loud boos from sections of the crowd during a welcome speech broadcast to the arena. Host Carson Daly acknowledged Hochul from the stage, calling her a friend, but the crowd’s reaction was unmistakably hostile. Daly said, “Your friend and mine, Governor Kathy Hochul,” as a camera captured her place in the crowd, ensuring the moment became part of the day’s narrative surrounding the event. The reception highlighted the charged political atmosphere that can accompany large, televised sporting events in the United States.

The opening ceremony’s contrast—glamour and pageantry on one hand, competitive tension on the other—set the tone for a Ryder Cup that is expected to be as much about theater as it is about golf. The European team, captained by Luke Donald, and the Americans, led by Bradley, will vie for the prestigious trophy on home soil for the first time since the event’s return to U.S. turf, after Europe claimed the victory in 2023. As the weekend unfolds, fans will watch for not only the sharp play that defines Ryder Cup competition but also the evolving role of players’ partners, who have increasingly become a visible and integrated part of the event’s culture.

Bethpage Black’s reputation as a course that rewards strategy and resilience promises a demanding test for both teams. With large crowds anticipated across the weekend, the dynamic on the course could shift quickly, and the environment off the course—spurred by fashion statements, fan energy, and ceremonial moments—will likely influence the mood around each match as players chase momentum. The Ryder Cup’s blend of sport, spectacle, and social intrigue remains a defining feature of the event, and this year’s opening ceremony reaffirmed that tradition while underscoring the ongoing evolution of the spectacle surrounding modern golf.