The Ryder Cup began in earnest at Bethpage Black on Friday but many golf fans are extremely unhappy with the television coverage so far.
There was pandemonium on the first tee when the American Ryder Cup players emerged from the tunnel before being introduced to vociferous New York fans at Bethpage Black.
The Europeans came flying out of the gate and the Americans didn’t really have an answer.
The likes of Russell Henley and Collin Morikawa looked out of their depth while all of the European players seemed to be right in their comfort zone.
Bethpage Black was set up very easily, with minimal rough supposed to help the home team.
However, it didn’t work out that way at all during the foursomes, with many of the United States players woefully out of form.
The American players weren’t the only ones being heavily criticized at Bethpage, though.
Golf fans slam Ryder Cup television coverage and demand change
With just four matches out on the golf course, and only eight balls actually in play, it was surely easy enough for the TV broadcasters to show every single shot to the millions of golf fans around the world.
However, that didn’t prove to be the case at all.
Numerous golf fans flocked to their X account to vent their anger at the quite frankly appalling television coverage, with one sarcastically exclaiming, “It’s nice that they’re mixing in some golf shots with the commercials. A tradition unlike any other.“
That sentiment was echoed with further responses like, “Can you tell them to show more shots? There are 12 players on the course, playing 6 balls and we’ve missed about 1/2 of them. This can’t be that hard,“ and “Hard to believe that with only 8 golf balls in play you can’t show every shot!“
And the complaints kept coming.
“I tuned in to watch golf…..can’t even keep up with 4 matches. This is insane,“ one fan said.
More fans chimed in with their frustrations, with one stating, “Would be nice if we could see all the shots being hit, considering there’s only four groups out there,“ and another suggesting that the TV broadcasting companies need to get their acts together, “Reminder that golf is being played at the Ryder Cup. Show the golf.“
One fan ripped into NBC’s coverage of the event, “NBC Sports should be embarrassed of this coverage. Commercials, sir Nick, and hardly any golf.“
“While another fumed, “Audio issues, more commercials than golf shots. USA Network & PGA of America should be ashamed of themselves!“
Golf fans are absolutely right: the coverage from the American host broadcasters during day one of the Ryder Cup has been truly awful.
Europe open up with stunning morning foursomes Ryder Cup session
While many of the American players looked flustered, the Europeans went from strength to strength throughout the day.
Keegan Bradley made some hugely questionable decisions.
Firstly, the Harris English and Collin Morikawa partnership just looked all wrong from the start. Playing Russell Henley after the deluge of rain at Bethpage on Wednesday was a questionable move from Bradley, given his lack of distance off the tee
Meanwhile, Luke Donald got his pairing selections spot on. Rory McIlroy was on fire while Ludvig Aberg, Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood were on top form as well.
The USA seriously have their work cut out if they are to get back in with a shout to win the Ryder Cup.
But will golf fans be given the chance to see every little bit of action over the next few days? That remains to be seen.
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