26/09/2025

SPORTS FRIDAY | SEPT 26, 2025

28 Ryder Cup mind games begins Donald and Bradley tout respect, trade jabs at opening ceremony C APTAINS Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley voiced respect but took their shots yesterday in Ryder Cup opening ceremony comments. The ceremony, advanced from a day ahead here to earn our place in Ryder Cup folklore,” Donald said.

COLLIN MORIKAWA wants to see New York golf fans bring chaos and craziness when the Ryder Cup begins today and hopes teammate Cameron Young fist pumps in a European rival’s face. World No. 8 Morikawa, the 2020 PGA Championship and 2021 British Open winner, said yesterday he has been disappointed with crowd noise the first two practice days at Bethpage Black. “I think it’s kind of tame so far,” the American said. “I hope Friday is just absolute chaos. I’m all for it. I think it feeds into who we are and the American players. We want it. We want to use that to our advantage. “We really have to tap into that. I hope they come strong. Watching all these kids, I know they want autographs, but come Friday, I hope they go crazy.” The United States, hoping to bounce back from a 2023 loss to Europe in Rome, also has some quieter players Morikawa hopes get caught up in the emotions of a Ryder Cup showdown. “I would love to see Cam Young just throw a massive fist pump in someone’s face. I would love it,” Morikawa said. “He’s a fiery competitor. I’ve known Cam for a long time. He has been very stoic… he wants to whoop some butt.” Young, a local product who won the 2017 New York Open at Bethpage Black as a 20-year-old amateur, said he could lose his cool this week. “I think it could happen,” he said. “Especially at this venue in front of this crowd. “There’s nothing I would love more than to give myself an opportunity to see what I’m capable of on that front. “None of that matters unless I have an opportunity to do something that warrants that kind of emotional response.” Morikawa says Cup weeks are a “confidence thing” that “just pull out the best in you” and hopes for redemption from Rome. “There was a sour taste leaving Rome. “That was my first team loss I’ve ever had,” Morikawa said. “I wouldn’t say it has haunted me but it definitely woke me up… about what I need to bring to this week.” – AFP Morikawa calls on fans ‘to go crazy’

“The toughest roads lead to the greatest rewards. We are fuelled by something money can not buy: Purpose, brotherhood and a responsibil ity to honour those who came before us, while inspiring those whose time is yet to come.”

due to thunderstorms in the fore cast on the eve of today’s opening matches at Bethpage Black, had thousands of supporters cheer ing each team. Europe captain Donald took the opportunity to stress that unlike US play ers who are paid to play, European Ryder Cup stars play for their legacy alone. US captain Keegan Bradley, meanwhile, played up one of Europe’s most bit ter Ryder Cup moments as a galvanizing force for himself and the US team. Since 1999, each US Ryder Cup player had received money for charities of their choice but that was raised this year for charity and a personal stipend to use however each liked. In contrast, Europe players told Donald they did not want to be paid to play in the Ryder Cup, some seeing that as Europe players loving the Cup more than their American counter parts. “The Ryder Cup means so

Bradley cited US pride and leg acy, saying, “The Ryder Cup doesn’t just test skill. It reveals souls.” Bradley thanked

Europe players for “pas sion (that) elevates this competition” and pal Donald for “quiet strength and undeniable class.” But he

Ryder Cup captains, Europe’s Luke Donald (left) and US’s Keegan Bradley. – AFPPIC

also also recal led

the

1999

“Battle of Brookline”

moment when Americans celebrated a victory by dancing on a green before Jose Maria Olazabal had a long putt to deny a US clinch. “I’ve never forgotten what it

felt like to run on to that green at Brookline, watching a team come together in a way that changed my life,” Bradley said. “The moment lit a fire in me and this week that same Ryder Cup fire will fuel our team. It will drive us through every match, every moment and every challenge.” Both captains said they were bracing for a raucous but respectful crowd. “We know the atmosphere this weekend will be electric, raucous, and yes, respect ful,” Bradley said. “That’s part of what makes the Ryder Cup so special on both sides of the pond.” Donald tried to make the case his side could win over some support. “New York is a place where if you show up with talent and a fighting spirit, the city will get behind you – although maybe not if you’re wearing European blue this week,” he said. “We know what awaits us. Bethpage isn’t exactly shy. This is New York sports country, passionate, loyal and ferociously loud, and rightly so. “Fans here respect effort over ego. You show up for those who grind, for those who fight, and for those who rise to the big occasions. And you make us earn every cheer.

much to each and every one of us. It’s unlike anything else in our sport,” Donald said. “It’s not about prize money or world ranking points. It’s about pride. It’s about representing your flag, your shirts, and the legacy you leave behind. “Time and again, we’ve shown that when we come together as one with a shared

purpose, we can achieve remarkable things.” Europe cap tured the Cup in Rome in 2023 and hope to win this week for only the fifth time on US soil.

“Two years ago, we wrote a chapter in Rome. This week in New York, we aim to write history. We didn’t come here just to be a part of the show. We came

“We may not be your team, but we will give you something to respect, something to admire, and maybe by the end of this week, something to cheer for.” – AFP From teen dream to reality, Young ready for Bethpage homecoming

CAMERON YOUNG’S dream is finally becoming reality, and it couldn’t be scripted any better as the New York native will make his Ryder Cup debut this week at the same Bethpage Black course where he tasted success as an amateur. The 28-year-old has had this week’s Ryder Cup on his radar ever since Bethpage Black was announced as the venue in 2013, making his selection as one of US captain Keegan Bradley’s six picks all the more meaningful. “Since it was announced. I think I would have been in high school. “It’s been quite some time,” Young told reporters yesterday when asked about his Ryder Cup aspirations.

Young’s path to Bethpage wasn’t always smooth. Earlier this year he was not even in the conversation to make the 12-player team but a late-season surge changed everything. A victory at the Wyndham Championship last month followed by a solo-fifth finish in the first leg of the FedExCup Playoffs and a share of fourth place at the Tour Championship thrust Young into contention. For his efforts, Young gets to compete in golf’s greatest team spectacle and at a venue where in 2017 he won the New York State Open at Bethpage as an amateur after firing a then course-record 64 in the final round. Other than the massive grandstands in place this week and leading players from

Europe and the United States roaming around the course, Young said everything felt the same as when he was last on site in 2017. “Walking out on the first tee, feels like I was here yesterday,” said Young. Despite Young’s comfort with the course and increased confidence as a golfer, the former PGA Tour rookie of the year has been doing his Ryder Cup homework and has not been shy about picking the brains of his more experienced teammates. “Just trying to pick up little things here and there,” said Young. “You know, they have all got so much experience and so much wisdom from their times in these events.”

After dreaming of his Ryder Cup debut for years and getting reacquainted with the course this week Young is now bracing for what he is certain will be one of the more nervy opening tee shots a golfer can hit. Whenever Young steps in front of the mammoth grandstand that overlooks the elevated tee at the par-four opening hole he fully expects to feel jitters. “Everybody’s got some nerves. You still have to hit it,” said Young. “For me, I think just a matter of going through the process leading up to it, and you know, getting to the first tee and trying to make a swing that I’ve been making over the last few days.” – Reuters