Justin Thomas has acknowledged the possibility of the New York crowd turning against the American team if they begin to fall behind in the Ryder Cup this week. Luke Donald’s European team initiated a friendly gesture by signing autographs for the local fans.
Rory McIlroy recently disclosed that they have taken precautions against potential fan hostility by using virtual reality headsets to simulate potential heckling. Despite the support from President Trump on the opening day, Thomas emphasized the risk of disappointing the home crowd if Team USA fails to perform.
Thomas highlighted the unique pressure in New York, where fans have high expectations for their teams to succeed. He emphasized the importance of giving the spectators reasons to cheer by delivering strong performances on the course.
While acknowledging that criticism may be warranted if the team underperforms, Thomas cautioned against personal attacks on team members’ loved ones, which could escalate tensions.
Patrick Cantlay, donning a Team USA hat, addressed concerns about player payments by announcing his intention to donate his earnings to charity. The US team members will receive stipends, with Cantlay choosing to contribute his share to a charitable cause.
Cantlay refuted claims of refusing to wear the Team USA cap previously due to payment issues, clarifying that the sizing was the primary concern, which has since been resolved.
Reflecting on past strategies, Bernhard Langer’s team engaged with US fans during Donald’s Ryder Cup debut in 2004, adopting a similar approach to foster goodwill with the home crowd.
Langer stressed the importance of respect towards the spectators and expressed confidence in his team’s values and commitment to entertaining the fans through exceptional golf performances.
This proactive and charitable approach aims to build positive relationships with fans and enhance the overall Ryder Cup experience for all involved.
