Surprising Sleep and Chaos at the Ryder Cup

A notable number of spectators at the legendary Bethpage Black course on Long Island chose to rest during the Ryder Cup, with many seen sleeping on the grass or passed out from exhaustion and drinking.

One attendee, Daniel Manzouri, recalled seeing up to a dozen people asleep on the lawn throughout the day, often by 9 a.m. “People would walk by and ask if they were okay,” he said. Despite ticket prices reaching over $1,500, the atmosphere was far from elegant. Reports describe attendees urinating in bottles to avoid lines for porta-potties, with some engaging in heated disputes requiring security intervention. “It felt like a chaotic scene,” Manzouri remarked.

The event’s abundant drinking opportunities may have contributed. Videos circulating on social media show crowds lining up early for beer, with bars offering expensive drinks like Michelob Ultra, Bud Light Seltzer, and limited-edition cocktails such as the Cherry Fairway Fizz — made with Ryder Cup moonshine — and Ryder Cup-themed rubber ducks. Despite free food and beverages, many appeared heavily intoxicated, likely fueled by pre-event drinking during commutes or on rideshares, as spectators observed people intoxicated by 9 a.m.

Photos depict numerous enthusiasts sleeping in the open, including a woman in patriotic attire lying on the grass and fans in matching European hats taking in the matches. Some fans admitted to not being surprised by the level of intoxication and tiredness, attributing it to early mornings starting at 5 a.m. and hot sun during the day.

Overall, the Ryder Cup atmosphere was characterized by a combination of excitement, heavy drinking, and unexpected chaos, leading some to consider the event less sophisticated than traditionally expected.