Ryder Cup Audiences: A Shocking Number of Attendees Napping
For many attendees at the Ryder Cup, the event felt surprisingly dull—literally. This week, at the renowned Bethpage Black Course in Long Island, there were numerous spectators so worn out by the festivities that they turned the golf course into a makeshift sleeping area.
Daniel Manzoli, 39, who works in sales and lives in Williamsburg, shared his experience. “I went on Friday, and it was wild. Even at 9 AM, I noticed a man passed out on one of the muddy slopes,” he recounted. “Throughout the day, I must have seen 10 to 12 people just sleeping on the grass.”
He noted that people would walk by, occasionally checking if those resting were alright.
Before attending the Ryder Cup, which runs through Sunday, he had imagined the tournament would carry a sense of elegance—especially since some tickets were priced over $1,500. “We thought it would be classy, but it turned out quite the opposite,” he remarked. “I didn’t want to wait for the Portapotti, so I saw folks using bottles instead. It was bizarre; even saw Europeans and Americans getting into fights.”
He reflected, saying, “I thought people would act better at an expensive event, but it was somewhat of a chaotic scene.”
As for the refreshments, the tournament offered plenty of drinking options. A video circulating on TikTok showcased a crowd eagerly waiting at 9 AM for the beer tent to open.
The bar featured drinks like Michelob Ultra for $15, Bud Light Seltzer for $16, and even Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut for $22. There were also four specialty cocktails crafted for the Ryder Cup, alongside other popular drinks. Despite this, Manzoli was taken aback by how inebriated many attendees appeared, especially since food and drinks like cheeseburgers, Italian sausages, and chicken sandwiches were free, along with water and Gatorade available at any time. “They must have started drinking before they got here,” he speculated. “How else could you get that drunk by 9 AM?”
Others weren’t quite as surprised about the number of adults taking a break from reality. A spokesperson in her thirties, who lives in New York City, mentioned, “I heard that the Ryder Cup is supposed to be fun.” She noticed two men sleeping on the grass during her visit.
Fans lined up early as the gates opened at 5 AM, with many rushing to secure the best spots in the stands. The long hours spent at the event, combined with a lack of seating options for ground pass holders, naturally led to some people choosing to rest directly on the ground, despite the potential issues with insects. “I thought it was just a usual part of the course,” she concluded.
