Esther McCarthy: The men of golf are not so 'gentle', really

"And here was I, delighted that my son is getting into the game, oh, but then along here come the Americans to show us they can de-class even the most demure of sports. The absolute fecking CHEEK of them."

Rory McIlroy of Europe celebrates with his wife Erica Stoll McIlroy on day three of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York, USA. Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Sportsfile

“Ooh, the gentleman’s sport!” said my cousin, impressed. It was our middle guy’s birthday, and I was explaining how he’s gone mad into golf.

All the presents were golf-themed: a practice putting green, a second-hand set of clubs we’d tracked down, a golf glove and tees from his brothers, and a trip to the driving range planned for the day itself.