During a recent episode of The Overlap podcast, English footballer Ian Wright criticized American professional golfers for being more "selfish" during the singles play competition of The Ryder Cup, which pits 12 of the top golfers from Europe and the United States against each other.
"Americans are much better at singles, cause they are more selfish; it is all about them," Wright said. The English players and the European players are used to the foursomes and the four-ball playing for someone else."
The Ryder Cup was played at the Bethpage Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York, last month. The Europeans, led by team captain Luke Donald, defeated the U.S. team 15-13 across three different formats.
Keegan Bradley was the U.S. captain.
The three-day matchplay competition consists of U.S. and European players competing as pairs in foursomes (alternate shot) and fourballs (better ball) over the first two days of the tournament. The final day features 12 head-to-head singles matches.
In all three formats, the lowest score wins the hole. There are 28 total matches, and each is worth one point, with 14.5 points enough for the Ryder Cup trophy.
If there are ties in any of the formats, each team receives half a point.
After day one, Europe led the United States 5.5 to 2.5. On the second day, Europe increased its advantage over the U.S. from 11.5 to 4.5
While the U.S. dominated the final day, winning six singles matches and securing 8.5 points, Europe's substantial lead over the first two days all but ensured their second straight trophy, which they had also won in Italy back in 2023.
The Ryder Cup is played every two years, with the U.S. last winning the trophy in 2021 at Whistling Straits Golf Course in Wisconsin.
Despite the European victory and the attendance of President Donald Trump on the first day of the event, the tournament was marred by unruly fan behavior directed at the European players, including Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy, who has won five major championships on the PGA [Professional Golfers' Association] Tour, called some of the patrons' conduct "unacceptable" after the final day of the event.
In one instance, a fan could be heard yelling 'freedom' before McIlroy's approach shot to the green. McIlroy then says 'STFU' before stepping back from his shot to a crowd of boos.
"This should not be what is acceptable in the Ryder Cup," McIlroy said.
