Justin Thomas has acknowledged the potential for the New York crowd to shift their support away from the American team if they start falling behind in the Ryder Cup this week. On the other hand, Luke Donald’s European team took a friendly approach by interacting with home fans and signing autographs.
Rory McIlroy mentioned that they have even prepared for possible negative reactions from fans by using virtual reality headsets to simulate heckling situations. Despite the support from President Trump on the opening day, Thomas emphasized the importance of performing well to meet the expectations of the New York crowd, known for their passion for winning championships.
Thomas highlighted the unique pressure of playing in New York, where fans demand top performances and can express disappointment if expectations are not met. He stressed the team’s commitment to giving the crowd reasons to cheer by delivering strong results.
While acknowledging that criticism is justified if the team underperforms, Thomas warned against disrespectful behavior towards players’ families. Patrick Cantlay, wearing a Team USA hat, addressed the controversy surrounding player payments by announcing his decision to donate his earnings to charity.
In a new initiative, US players will receive a $200,000 stipend, with $300,000 being donated to charity. Cantlay emphasized the charitable aspect of team events and his intention to contribute to a cause.
Cantlay clarified previous misconceptions about his stance on wearing the Team USA baseball cap, emphasizing that the issue was resolved this year. Reflecting on past Ryder Cup strategies, Bernhard Langer’s team engaged with US fans during Donald’s debut in 2004.
Langer emphasized the importance of respect towards the home crowd and the team’s focus on delivering their best performances while valuing fan support. The European captain praised his team for their values, commitment to entertaining play, and understanding of the fans’ significance in the event.