PLENTY of golf etiquette goes out the window when the Ryder Cup is on.
Fans hurl abuse at players and cheer missed putts.
Rory McIlroy can renew his rivalry with Bryson DeChambeau at the Ryder Cup[/caption]
And the players and caddies are far from exempt from engaging in plenty of wild antics, too.
One to keep a particular eye on this week will be the dynamic between Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau.
The two power-players of their respective teams do not see eye to eye.
DeChambeau took a sly dig at McIlroy’s expense after pipping him to the US Open title last year.
He then moaned McIlroy didn’t say a word to him during the final round of the Masters in April – the champion defended himself by insisting he was there to complete the Grand Slam, not make friends with the brash LIV rebel.
And the European superstar reignited the feud ahead of a possible showdown at Bethpage Black.
McIlroy said: “I think the only way he gets attention is by mentioning other people.
“That is basically what I think of that.
“To get attention he will mention me or Scottie [Scheffler] or others.”
And should things kick off between the pair – on or off the course – it would add to a long list of Ryder Cup rows.
Because from car park drama in Rome to team-mates going at each other, there has been no shortage of bust-ups in golf’s greatest event.
RORY MCILROY VS JOE LACAVA (2023)
Where else to start than that car park, with a raging McIlroy having to be held back by pal Shane Lowry in Rome.
McIlroy was furious with Patrick Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava, who celebrated the US holing a putt by antagonisingly waving his cap to the crowd and shamelessly walking in front of McIlroy as he prepared to putt.
The Europeans missed their putt and with it lost 1up.
McIlroy vented his anger at LaCava on the green then let rip at Justin Thomas’ caddie Jim ‘Bones’ MacKay about the incident outside as the red mist descended.
But it only fired the former world No1 up to beat Sam Burns 3&1 in the singles as Europe roared to victory.
Joe LaCava riled McIlroy up with his antics in Rome[/caption]
The European star had to be held back as he argued with Jim MacKay in the car park about the incident[/caption]
PATRICK REED VS JORDAN SPIETH (2018)
Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth had formed an almighty duo at the 2014 and 2016 Ryder Cups, as well as the 2017 Presidents Cup.
But the dream team were shockingly split up at Rome – with Spieth partnered with best mate Justin Thomas and Reed struggled with Tiger Woods.
And Reed went public with his grievances, calling captain Jim Furyk’s decision a “buddy system”.
He blasted: “The issue’s obviously with Jordan not wanting to play with me. I don’t have any issue with Jordan.
“When it comes right down to it, I don’t care if I like the person I’m paired with or if the person likes me as long as it works and it sets up the team for success.
“He and I know how to make each other better. We know how to get the job done.”
But Spieth responded: “I grew up with Justin. He’s one of my best friends in the entire world.
“We’ve been the biggest fans of each other through our entire process of junior golf, college golf, professional golf, into winning major championships, into being No1 in the world.
“Obviously I want to play with him. Like, this would be so awesome.”
Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed made a formidable pairing before Spieth ditched him for Justin Thomas[/caption]
DUSTIN JOHNSON VS BROOKS KOEPKA (2018)
Incredibly, Spieth and Reed were not the only USA team-mates to clash in Paris as the team, unsurprisingly, lost.
Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka were supposedly good mates but tensions were already bubbling on the way over to France.
Then after they were beaten Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose in the Saturday foursomes, it blew up on the Sunday evening.
Reports they got into a physical punch-up were denied but there was clearly some form of altercation – with partners Paulina Gretzky and Jena Sims close by.
One source told The Telegraph Gretzky was “clearly shocked and upset by the nastiness, which was very threatening”.
Pals Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka reportedly got into a fight in Paris[/caption]
How to watch the 2025 Ryder Cup
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THE 45th Ryder Cup takes place from September 26-28 with the US team desperate to wrestle back the crown from Europe.
Scottie Scheffler and the American side will battle Rory McIlroy’s European team in New York.
The infamous Bethpage Black course will be the venue for the latest edition of the pulsating golf tournament.
NBC will broadcast the competition in it’s entirety in the United States.
Friday’s foursomes and fourballs will be live on USA Network from 7 am ET to 6 pm ET.
Saturday’s action will take place during the same hours live on NBC.
And Sunday’s singles will also be on NBC from 12 pm ET to 6 pm ET.
Fans can sign up to Fubo TV by CLICKING HERE and watch the Ryder Cup through NBC’s channels.
SERGIO GARCIA VS NICK FALDO (2008)
Another pair of golfing greats on the same team, another public feud.
Back in 2008, Faldo was captain when Europe were handily beaten at Valhalla.
Spaniard Garcia picked up just one point from four matches.
And Faldo was not impressed, calling his player “useless” and claiming he had a “bad attitude”.
He doubled down years later by labelling Garcia “the most immature player I’ve ever witnessed”.
But the Spaniard could not resist a swipe back at Faldo when he overtook his former captain’s record European points haul in 2018.
An emotional Garcia – who took his total to 28.5 at Whistling Straits – said: “This means a lot to me. I have passed some of my heroes today… and Nick Faldo.”
COLIN MONTGOMERIE VS TEAM USA (1997 & 1999)
There have been many references to 1999’s Battle of Brookline ahead of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black – with similar fiery scenes expected.
Colin Montgomerie was up against an entire nation on that Sunday – not just Payne Stewart.
In fact, Stewart even stepped in and told his own Boston fans “that’s enough” on the 17th hole as the personal abuse got out of control.
Magnanimous Stewart said: “I told him that periodically throughout the match. I wasn’t going to let heckling influence one of his shots.
“I think he respected that from me and all I can say now, again, is, ‘I’m sorry about some of our fans. It’s not right they should behave that way.’”
However, the anti-Monty agenda was sparked by the Scot himself, who went on a shock rampage in 1997, including mentioning Brad Faxon “going through a divorce and mentally I don’t think he’ll be with it.”
Non-Ryder Cup Americans Fred Funk called Montgomerie “the jerk of the world” and Bob Estes said he was a “crybaby”.
Payne Stewart stepped in to give Colin Montgomerie some respite from the Brookline crowd[/caption]
PAUL AZINGER VS SEVE BALLESTEROS (1989 & 1991)
Arguably the greatest feud ever in the Ryder Cup was between Paul Azinger and Seve Ballesteros – and it was not limited to just one edition, either.
In 1989, Azinger refused to allow Ballesteros to swap out a scuffed ball on the second green – then on the 18th disputed an Azinger drop.
Azinger won 1 up but two years later, their rivalry resumed in the first match.
There was more contention over a ball, the Americans allegedly using two different balls illegally, Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal came from behind to win 2&1.
Ballesteros branded Azinger a liar.
Azinger hit back that the Spaniard was “the king of gamesmanship” and accused him of coughing during his shots.
Paul Azinger and Seve Ballesteros clashed at not one but two Ryder Cups[/caption]
