The spectator gallery at a major golf tournament are expected to behave themselves. Sure, you might hear the occasional insufferable jackass dollar a pointless “Get in the hole!” after a drive, but — beyond that — the assembled masses stay quiet and offer the traditional golf clap when appropriate.
But, the Ryder Cup is not just any golf tournament. It is a clash between the best of the USA and the best of Europe for a trophy that’s been in contention since 1927. National pride is on the line, and jingoism kicks up the volume level considerably.
Also: 2016 Ryder Cup: Visiting the Enemy Camp at PGA National, The Belfry
The chants of “USA! USA!” drowned out calls of “Euro! Euro!” at sunrise this morning as the 2016 Ryder Cup got underway at a ceremony surrounded by the rowdiest of golf lovers. There might be something to all of this patriotism charging the air as Team USA got off to a blazing start at Hazeltine – sweeping all four matches.
The American team must score at least 14.5 points to reclaim the Ryder Cup after Europe won it three times in a row (and six of the last seven). With the score sitting at 4-0 USA as the afternoon four ball matches get underway, stay tuned for additional “spikes on the ground” coverage at Crave throughout the tournament.
For now you can get a taste of the morning’s pageantry in the gallery below.
All photos by John Scott Lewinski
2016 Ryder Cup Opening Day
The 2016 Ryder Cup teed off this morning with the traditional opening ceremonies and plenty of trash talk between U.S. and Euro fans.
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2016 Ryder Cup Opening Day
Before the sun came up on the opening day of the 2016 Ryder Cup, the pairings were waiting on the scoreboard.
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2016 Ryder Cup Opening Day
Players practice their putting before the sun comes up over the first round of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine.
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2016 Ryder Cup Opening Day
Lines began forming outside Hazeltine during the sunrise before the 2016 Ryder Cup.
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2016 Ryder Cup Opening Day
The sun rises over the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine outside Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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2016 Ryder Cup Opening Day
Patriotism was in the air long before the sun came up and the first golfers teed up at the 2016 Ryder Cup.
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2016 Ryder Cup Opening Day
Roaring galleries line the first tee at Hazeltine during the first matches of the 2016 Ryder Cup.
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2016 Ryder Cup Opening Day
A camera crane disappears into the foggy morning over the first hole of the 2016 Ryder Cup.
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2016 Ryder Cup Opening Day
The first foursome of the 2016 Ryder Cup's opening day (Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Patrick Reed) pose before the match.
