To describe the Ryder Cup as golf’s greatest rivalry would be quite the understatement.
The biennial event is marked by raucous, partisan crowds, pointed comments between players and high-stakes team competition that pits the United States against Europe in a battle for sporting supremacy.
4
Rowdy crowds, like those in 1999, have long marked Ryder Cup clashesCredit: GettyHostile Ryder Cup? Europe told to embrace New York cauldron in pep talk from legends
Such is the reputation of the Ryder Cup in 2025, that the Europeans are preparing for their trip to Bethpage Black — the sixth most challenging course in the US — by using virtual reality headsets to tune into the kind of abuse they’re expecting in New York.
“That’s the stuff that we’re going to have to deal with,” Rory McIlroy said, ahead of the 45th Ryder Cup.
“So it’s better to try to desensitize yourself as much as possible before you get in there.
“You can get them to say whatever you want them to say, so you can go as close to the bone as you like.”
While McIlroy and co are preparing to play in front of rowdy fans on hostile territory, the Europeans will almost certainly engage in a war of words with their American rivals as the Ryder Cup draws closer.
US trash talk fuels 1999 Battle of Brookline
But whatever is said to the press, or even face-to-face, in the coming days will not replicate the kind of trash talk that was dished out 26 years ago.
Ahead of the 1999 Ryder Cup in Massachusetts, American star Payne Stewart hit the headlines with some seriously inflammatory comments about the number of rookies in Europe’s ranks.
“On paper, they should be caddying for us,” he said on the eve of the tournament.
“But that isn’t what this is about. It’s about bringing your game to the event — and they bring it.”
Jeff Maggert then echoed the sentiment in a press conference prior to the matches, saying: “Let’s face it, we’ve got the 12 best players in the world.”
4
Stewart suggested the Europeans should caddy for the Americans in 1999Credit: Getty
4
His comments summed up the bitter Ryder Cup rivalry between the US and EuropeCredit: Getty
Those comments no doubt got under the skin of the visiting Europeans, who had seven first-time players on their 12-man team, and initially appeared to spur them on.
Captained by Mark James, Europe stormed into a 10-6 lead heading into the final round, and needed only 4 points on the final day to retain the cup.
But the Americans rallied on the Sunday, and won the first six matches to surge into the lead, eventually securing a one point victory in what went down in history as the iconic ‘Battle of Brookline’ comeback.
Stewart’s impressive show of sportsmanship closes Ryder Cup
While he stoked the fire ahead of the Ryder Cup, Stewart actually finished his tournament with an incredible show of sportsmanship.
The American criticized the heckling of European player Colin Montgomerie at Brookline, and with victory assured for the United States on the final day, he conceded a putt – and his own singles match – to his rival on the 18th hole.
4
Stewart’s sportsmanship on the final day was more memorable than his pre-tournament commentCredit: Getty
“This game is about sportsmanship,” Stewart said afterwards.
The 1999 Ryder Cup marked one of his last public appearances, as golf’s original trendsetter died in a plane crash less than a month later.
But Stewart’s act of sportsmanship on the 18th green ensured that his Ryder Cup legacy will live on, even if he did stoke the flames ahead of play.
The 2025 Ryder Cup takes place from Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28.