Ryder Cup diary: Bethpage’s F-U MC isn't missed on final day
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler on the 1st tee during the singles matches. Pic: Vaughn Ridley/Sportsfile
No Ryder Cup reaches the end without its lasting absurdities. For Bethpage 2025, see Heather McMahan.
The comedian and first tee MC stepped down from her role in shame on Saturday night having inexplicably led the grandstands in a chant of “F*** you Rory!” at first light of a dark day of fan behaviour.
McMahan hadn’t been having a great week anyway, perhaps the only American who underperformed both Scottie Scheffler and Keegan Bradley.
On Sunday there was just a whole lot more loud music as the home crowd stayed low-key ahead of inevitable defeat. Where McMahan goes next isn’t yet known but it’s unlikely to be back on a golf course. Which may be bad news for Mr. McMahan.
A quick Google of the off-key MC gives you a sample of her comedy and the first two videos are titled “Golf husbands v tennis wives” and “My husband is obsessed with golf”.
After this family infamy, he may have to park that obsession for a while.
At a Sunday morning handover ceremony on the 15th tee, Ryder Cup officials passed the metaphorical torch to Adare Manor with Irish, Limerick and local officials on hand.
Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan stepped up to the mic to say a few words saluting the “incredible hospitality that we have received as European and as Irish in the last couple of days here.” Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry may have countered that claim.
Viktor Hovland’s cranky neck saw the invocation of the “envelope rule” as he was forced to withdraw. In a fortunate stroke, it was his scheduled opponent, Harris English, who had been nominated by Keegan Bradley to miss out if a European was injured.
The rule, which means the cancelled match is halved, isn’t for everyone. Justin Thomas was clearly not a fan. Video of him seeing the news and subsequent score update flash across the screen captured consternation. Perhaps he should have been thankful.
Hovland had holed some massive putts over the first two days while the default half-point would prove to be Harris’s only damage on the scoreboard all week.
JT’s reaction to the news of Viktor Hovland pulling out of his Sunday singles match today. pic.twitter.com/qc6Jpio0vN
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) September 28, 2025
Covering any Ryder Cup session in the flesh can be a test of both focus and fitness, as explosions of noise and action reverberate around the course and matches swing back wildly into the balance.
Bethpage Black doesn’t help in this regard. Like the island on which it’s situated, it’s long but not wide, shaped almost like a shark. It doesn’t double back at many points so when you’re out, you’re out.
A pivotal piece of the media toolkit all week was a little purple audio box on a rope which you sling around your neck when heading out. It carries BBC Five Live’s simply brilliant radio commentary with barely a split-second delay.
In Saturday’s febrile atmosphere, the ever-excellent John Murray was tracking Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry.
His US co-commentator lamented the abuse being shipped and suggested the American fans should turn to other things they’re good at such as “the [Mexican] wave”.
“Well…” responded Murray. “That’s not for everyone either.” Certainly not.
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