You’ll forgive me if I’m seeking something out other than baseball to muse about today. Despite the best efforts of my Cub-sessed partner in crime Mr. Denavi to sugarcoat it, my New York Mets looked positively putrid last night, as they have for quite a while, and are as likely as ever to repeat 2007 as they are 2024. With two teams battling them for that final wild card spot–the exact same position last year’s supposedly weaker team was in– that each hold a tiebreaker advantage over them things look particularly bleak.
So, yeah, I’m paying attention to this year’s Ryder Cup, which like so many coastal elites is making one last September fling out to Long Island. Sure, it’s a big deal golf-wise, as CBS SPORTS’ Patrick McDonald posited yesterday:
The biennial event set for Bethpage Black is the setting for where the United States will attempt to reclaim the Ryder Cup on home soil. Winning the last two events held in the United States — including a record 19 to 9 victory at Whistling Straits in 2021 — the red, white and blue look to keep this trend alive after Europe got the upper hand at the 2023 playing in Rome.
Europe, meanwhile, is seeking to become the first road team to win the Ryder Cup since its 2012 team accomplished that feat at Medinah. Returning captain Luke Donald was a player on that squad, as were Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose, as the blue and gold overcame a 10 to 6 deficit on the final day of competition to shock the Americans in what is now dubbed the “Miracle at Medinah.”
The question now is whether the continuity of Europe will win out against a somewhat-upstart U.S. squad featuring four rookies and some stars not playing to the best of their ability in 2025. CBS Sports’ 1-24 ranking of the entire Ryder Cup roster shows that three of the top four players are European, while the Americans have more consistency and strength through the middle of their lineup.
But this event is all the more notable because of who’s expected to be in the peanut gallery (or at least a private suite), as FRONT OFFICE SPORTS’ David Rumsey, Eric Fisher, and Michael McCarthy noted in the MEMO they dropped yesterday afternoon:
With President Donald Trump planning to attend the opening round of the Ryder Cup on Friday, organizers are warning fans coming to Bethpage Black Golf Course to be prepared for some logistical hurdles.
The PGA of America, which runs the Ryder Cup’s U.S. operations, released a statement Wednesday telling attendees to “expect enhanced security measures and additional restrictions in place at Bethpage Black.” The tournament is expecting 50,000-plus fans Friday.
With gates at Bethpage opening at 5 a.m. ET Friday, ticket holders are “strongly urged to arrive as early as possible and should budget extra time as they plan their day,” the PGA said.
Beyond standard security screening at the entrance, fans will also be subjected to TSA-style screening points around the 5,000-seat stadium surrounding the first tee and 18th green, as well as the clubhouse. “If spectators leave these secure areas, they will need to be screened again before reentering that area,” according to the PGA.
Fans are also being advised to expect temporary delays moving around publicly accessible areas inside and outside of the golf course, which may briefly become restricted or frozen spaces before, during, or after Friday’s round.
Trump’s presence is leading to some typically standard items not being allowed in certain areas of the golf course, like portable folding chairs, metal and hard plastic insulated beverage containers, large umbrellas, and even rangefinders.
And among those that are in line to be put out by this are some other fairly prominent folks, as the NEW YORK POST’s Adriana Diaz chirped in her own preview from yesterday:
As Team USA and Team Europe get ready to tee off at this weekend’s Ryder Cup, golf’s most prestigious showdown, their WAGs — wives and girlfriends — are also stepping into the spotlight.
From college sweethearts and hole-in-one romances, to major fashion moments and influencer-worthy appearances, these fair maidens are bringing style, support — and just a touch of drama — to the fairway(.)
With the US and European team rosters locked in, it’s time to meet the Ryde-or-dies behind the power players at this year’s Ryder Cup.
Erica Stoll, Team Europe
Stoll was the subject of major fan debate after she was criticized for being too subdued during husband Rory McIlroy’s Masters win in April.
The furor, which the Irondequoit, NY native has ignored, dates back to 2024 when McIlroy filed for divorce — with the couple reconciling just weeks later, saying their “best future was as a family together.”
McIlroy, from Northern Ireland, met the Upstater at the 2011 Ryder Cup, where she worked behind the scenes for the PGA.
Meredith Scheffler, Team USA
Scottie Scheffler may be the World No. 1, but his wife, Meredith, has been his No. 1 since high school.
Meredith, who wowed the crowd in a stunning red dress in a “Mom & Dad date night” Instagram post from Tuesday’s Rider Cup Gala, works as a connection liaison for the faith-based nonprofit Behind Every Door, which serves low-income neighborhoods.
Katherine Gaal Fitzpatrick, Team USA
Former Miss New Jersey runner-up and tennis pro Katherine Gaal married Team Europe’s Matt Fitzpatrick in October 2024. The burgeoning lifestyle and fashion influencer who has attracted nearly 20,000 followers to her Instagram account, brimming with glam snaps from NYC and Wimbledon, with brands like Rolex tagged in her posts.
Diaz went out to document pretty much the entire field. Read at your own peril.
What this does suggest is that, weather permitting, what happens on the 18 holes where actual balls will be hit and the 19th where proverbial ones are in play will be compelling television. And hopefully enough of a distraction to forget about baseball.
Courage…