Ryder Cup Opens with Glitzy Ceremony as WAGs Take the Spotlight
USA aims to defend home soil as European WAGs dazzle in white; Hochul booed by crowd during opening night
The Ryder Cup officially got underway with a glitzy opening ceremony at the Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York, on Wednesday evening, as players’ wives and girlfriends drew attention in coordinated outfits ahead of this weekend’s matches. The United States team is aiming to reclaim the trophy on home soil after their defeat to Europe at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome in 2023.
European WAGs wore striking all-white ensembles, while the Team USA wives and girlfriends opted for classic navy, a contrast that underscored the fashion moment that has become a regular feature of the biennial event. The tradition has grown as WAGs travel from around the world to attend, often coordinating outfits or styling through players or their partners. This year’s showcase follows a familiar pattern in which the fashion focus becomes part of the Ryder Cup spectacle, with many WAGs also developing public profiles as models, influencers or entrepreneurs.
The event placed the spotlight on the teams’ support networks as much as the players themselves. US captain Keegan Bradley and European captain Luke Donald were center stage as the ceremony framed the weekend’s competition on a course known for its challenges. The Black Course at Bethpage has hosted major events before, including the U.S. Open, and organizers expected large crowds to enhance the atmosphere both on and off the course.
On the competitive side, the opening ceremony set the tone for a weekend when fans will follow partners from hole to hole or cheer from VIP sections, a tradition that the organizers say adds to the Ryder Cup’s unique pageantry. The US team will look to translate the fashion-forward energy into a strong start as they attempt to defend the trophy on American soil after the 2023 loss in Rome.
Meanwhile, politics briefly punctuated the ceremony when New York Governor Kathy Hochul was shown on screen to a chorus of boos from sections of the crowd. Host Carson Daly acknowledged the moment, saying, "Your friend and mine, Governor Kathy Hochul," before adding that she was there to support the event. "Governor, thank you for being here. And thank you to your team too for getting us ready for the Ryder Cup in New York." The reception from the crowd was unmistakably hostile, illustrating the weekend’s charged atmosphere surrounding the event on Long Island.
As golf’s biennial team event begins in earnest, both sides will be hoping to translate the opening-night energy into results on the course. The opening ceremony and the accompanying fashion moments have already become a talking point, but players across Team USA and Team Europe know the real drama will unfold over 18-hole battles on Bethpage Black, with a week that will test strategy, form and composure under intense scrutiny.