Ryder Cup WAGs Steal Spotlight as Day 1 Action Begins at Bethpage Black
Team USA and Team Europe open competition as the event’s wives and partners bring fashion and camaraderie to Bethpage, with early European momentum and high-profile attendees noted on Day 1.
Friday marked Day 1 of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, as the United States and Europe began the biennial competition amid a charged atmosphere. The morning foursomes kicked off a weekend that traditionally centers on golf strategy, but this year also spotlighted the event’s social scene, with the Ryder Cup WAGs drawing particular attention for their coordinated fashion and on-course presence.
Team USA wives wore dark blue polo shirts featuring a small American flag on the front paired with white pants, creating a crisp, athletic look that complemented the team’s on-course intensity. The Europeans countered with a business-chic approach, opting for dark blazers, collared white shirts and pleated shorts that gave the European contingent a polished, cohesive appearance. In the mix across the tenth hole, Katherine Morikawa, wife of Collin Morikawa, was seen perched on a golf cart and exchanging smiles with fellow WAGs during the morning foursomes, a moment captured by photographers on site. Nearby, Diane Antonopoulos, wife of Team Europe captain Luke Donald, and Erica Stoll, wife of Rory McIlroy, were photographed sharing conversation on the course. Luke Donald, too, was observed engaging with his wife at the first tee as the morning foursomes unfolded.
The social backdrop to the action extended beyond the course as the two sides have traded moments of camaraderie throughout the week. Notably, the Ryder Cup welcome dinner in Sands Point saw members of both teams dressed to impress, setting a tone of convivial competition ahead of the matches. In addition to the on-course human interest, notable personalities and family connections were highlighted in the wake of Friday's play, including the presence of President Donald Trump, who was on site with his granddaughter Kai, a University of Miami freshman who is pursuing golf as part of her college experience.
The European side opened Day 1 with an early run, taking a 3-1 lead as the morning matches concluded. That swift start signaled a strong start for Luke Donald’s squad, which landed several favorable outcomes in the morning foursomes and set an early tone for the afternoon’s play, when four-ball formats would push momentum further in either direction. While the scoreboard reflected the Europeans’ initial edge, the Ryder Cup’s dynamic is known to shift quickly over the weekend as pairs flip and players regroup for the afternoon session.
A notable social element surrounding the event came from comedian Heather McMahan, who spoke with The Post about her friendships with Justin Thomas and his wife Jillian Wisniewski. McMahan described the Thomas family as supportive and fun, underscoring the close-knit social circles that often form around Ryder Cup events. Jillian Wisniewski, the wife of Keegan Bradley, Team USA captain, was among the spouses observed on the grounds ahead of Friday’s action, further illustrating how hospitality and fanfare mingle with high-level competition at Bethpage Black.
Beyond the fashion and social scenes, the on-course competition remained the central focus. The Ryder Cup’s unique blend of team strategy, national pride and global attention was on full display as the first day unfolded. While the morning sessions favored Europe with its early lead, the dynamic of the tournament invites continual shifts in momentum as players adjust to Bethpage Black’s layout, the US crowd’s energy and the pressure of representing a continent or a country in this storied rivalry.
As Friday progressed, spectators anticipated the afternoon four-ball matches, which would test the afternoon resilience of both teams and potentially redraw the early momentum. The combination of athletic performance, strategic pairings, and the WAGs’ social presence contributed to a multidimensional spectacle that has long defined the Ryder Cup experience at Bethpage Black. With the competition continuing into the weekend, fans remained focused on both the scoreboard and the human stories that accompany this prestigious golf event.