As the rain hammered down at Bethpage Black on Thursday, everyone was thinking the same thing.
Let’s get this party started already.
After four days of setting the scene, it is about time the talking stopped and a golf match broke out here in New York.
At 7:10am local time on Friday, Bryson DeChambeau will step onto the first tee alongside Justin Thomas to create a wall of American fever.
US Ryder Cups always burn hot, but as we are constantly reminded, this New York cauldron is specifically designed to set the Europeans on fire.
So, in this latest instalment of Ryder Cup Unrestricted, we spoke to American golf podcaster Bradford Wilson to explain the unique spirit of sport in the Big Apple.
Don’t you dare let us down
Wilson said: “New Yorkers have extremely high standards. The Knicks, the Yankees, the Mets, the Jets, the Rangers, if you don’t perform at a high level, they’re extremely critical of their own athletes that represent their country.
“You’re wearing the city on your chest and if you play like a bum, they’re gonna let you know.
“I think they carry that through most of the heartbeat of what makes New York City the greatest city on earth. There’s so many different cultures that flock to New York and call New York home, you get some of Europe’s influence with how New York fans approach their sports teams – the loyalty to their sports. I see it growing in golf.
“I see New Yorkers who may have been diehard New York Giants fans or New York Yankees fans find a way to latch on to Cam Young or to Scottie Scheffler and really give American golf fans that golfer to root for.
“It’s any excuse for American sports fans to wear USA on their chest.
“We see it with the World Cup, we see it with the Olympics and the Ryder Cup. Pride in country comes out no matter what the excuse is.
The crowd always find a way to influence US Ryder CupsGetty“They will come and say, you know what, I may not know what’s going on, but I got my flag. I feel right at home.”
The bottom dollar
Besides the famous New York atmosphere, these last four days have been dominated by two contrasting attitudes towards prize money.
While Team USA have successfully demanded to be paid for the first time in Ryder Cup history, the Europeans have made a conscious effort to remind everyone they play for pride and not greed.
It is worth noting that the tickets are $750, so somebody is getting paid, and the Americans are making sure more of that money goes to charity as part of this new system.
But it certainly feels like a massive PR own goal from Team USA, allowing themselves to be painted in such a light in front of their own crowd.
Luke Donald has had a field day with the prize money narrativeGettyWilson, however, insists that most Americans will not care, saying: “I think capitalism, you know, these players play for money. Whereas tradition says you play for pride, you play for country… capitalism is what it is in this country.
“And they’re of no fault for asking, and saying, ‘hey, I would like to be paid for this, given usage of their image and likeness and all those things… I can understand why it’s a big talking point.
“Do I agree with it? No, I would like to keep some things about golf sacred and do it for country.
“We show up and support you because you’re wearing red, white and blue on your chest. And you’re representing the rest of us.
“And now to have that part of the conversation tarnished in a way, it’s a little unfortunate, but ultimately I understand.
“Do Americans care? No, I don’t think so. I think hearing that they asked for money in the first place was more of a surprise. Like, wait, they don’t get paid for this?”
Did Rory McIlroy’s charm offensive work?
No. It didn’t.
Team Europe’s talisman said America is the greatest country on earth in his press conference on Thursday.
With the visitors going out of their way to sign every autograph, the cynics among us would suggest it is part of a wider tactic to win over the home crowd.
But not everybody bought it.
Nice try, RoryGetty“Those are the words of a scared, scared man,” one fan told talkSPORT.
“That’s somebody who already knows they’re coming here… This is New York. The greatest state and city in the world.
“You come here and you tell me you want to win here? You got no chance.
“We’re going to be raining hell upon you all weekend long.”
The noisy minority
Europe will have some fans out here at Bethpage Black.
And anyone who has decided to do this outrageously expensive away day will make sure they are heard.
We found two men dressed as human embodiments of the European flag and asked them to sing for us.
While the Americans famously only have one song, the visitors tend to get more creative.
In Rome, they all just sold their car to Robert MacIntyre.
This time, it was captain Luke Donald who found himself worked into the timeless classic ‘Old McDonald had a Farm’.
One fan reached into the depths of his soul and sang: “Old Luke Donald had a dream, when he won in Rome. Win the Ryder Cup again, and away from home.
“With a blue point here and a blue point there. Here a point, there a point, everywhere a blue point. Old Luke Donald had a dream, when he won in Rome.”
We’re not sure, lads.
Netflix all over it
Whatever happens this weekend, it is going to be box office. Literally.
Because ‘Full Swing’ – the Netflix documentary that follows the PGA Tour – is expecting this to dominate Season Four.
With the season bookended by a McIlroy career grand slam and a New York Ryder Cup, talkSPORT have been told to expect fireworks.
Wilson, who plays a starring role in the series, said: “The Ryder Cup is going to be a big part of it. And obviously Mr. Grand Slam, Rory.
“It’s going to be a really good season. It’s going to be a big year. I’m honestly just as much of a fan of the show as I am involved in it.
“I’m in awe of what they’re able to capture and the storylines they’re able to tell. And honestly, the players’ willingness to give them time. I think the way that everyone’s kind of bought in and now Full Swing is a thing.
“And it’s one of these opportunities that players may not otherwise get to control the narrative for themselves. And I think Netflix does a great job.
“We’ve never seen anything like it. So I love it. I love being a part of it.”
Whatever happens, it is going to be a movie. And we’ll be right across it with updates every 30 minutes on talkSPORT all weekend.
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