Ryder Cup Holds Opening Ceremony a Day Early Due to Rain Forecast... Atmosphere Already Heating Up

Special Stage at Bethpage Black in New York
Wives and Partners of All 12 U.S. and European Players Make Their Entrance
Thunderous Cheers and Boos from a Packed Crowd Ignite the Atmosphere

The opening ceremony of the Ryder Cup, the golf competition between the United States and Europe, was held a day early on September 24 (local time).

The tournament organizing committee had originally planned to hold the opening ceremony on September 25, but changed the date due to forecasts of heavy rain on the day. The ceremony took place on a special stage at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York. As is customary, the teams, including captains and vice-captains, appeared on stage dressed in formal attire.

Wives, partners, and girlfriends, all elegantly dressed, made their entrance first. The European team coordinated in white jackets and trousers, while the American team wore navy blue dresses. Claire, the wife of England's Tommy Fleetwood-who had missed the Tour Championship victory ceremony to care for their son-also appeared this time. New York Governor Kathy Hochul was also in attendance.

A formation of U.S. military helicopters performed a celebratory flyover, and parachutists descended from the sky, displaying the flags of the United States and the European Union. The most striking aspect of the ceremony was the massive crowd. Each time the captains introduced their 12 players one by one, the audience responded with thunderous cheers. Of course, during the introduction of the European team, the cheers were mixed with some boos, already heating up the atmosphere of support.

When a message appeared on the giant screen on stage-"Warning: From now on, nothing will be polite. The Black Course is brutal. This is the Ryder Cup."-the cheers grew even louder. This phrase was inspired by the actual warning sign at the entrance to the notoriously difficult Black Course, which reads, "Warning: The course is extremely difficult. Only highly skilled golfers should play." The Ryder Cup will begin on September 26.