European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has already noticed a change made to Bethpage Black ahead of next September’s event.
The PGA of America, as hosts, will have jurisdiction over the course set up for when both teams meet in New York. The course will be suited to the USA’s big-hitting stars, with the rough likely to be trimmed to limit the damage on wayward drives.
The Europeans, on the other hand, have typically favoured narrower courses with more penal rough. Donald anticipates Bethpage to be long and arduous, and the Englishman has now revealed that some holes have been widened, perhaps to benefit the hosts.
What Luke Donald has noticed about Bethpage Black
Speaking in the latest edition of the No Laying Up Podcast, Donald detailed what he’s already noticed about the famous Long Island venue.
“Big property. Lots of room to do stuff. They can go any which direction they want with the golf course, I think. I have only known it as a long, major-type championship setup. That’s not usually the US Ryder Cup player’s MO,” the European captain said.
“There is a few holes where they have widened some of them already and usually they will cut the rough down. It’s still a big-ish golf course off the back tees.
“They can move some up if they want. But it’s never going to be an easy golf course. They can certainly make it a non-major championship setup. Where there are definitely some good opportunities for birdies.”
What is the course record at Bethpage Black?
Brooks Koepka holds the course record at Bethpage Black, which he set during the first round of the 2019 PGA Championship.
The five-time major winner shot a seven-under 63 during the first day, which included seven birdies and no dropped shots. Koepka would go on to win his fourth major.
More recently, YouTuber Grant Horvat shot 11 over through 36 holes. Former PGA Tour player Wesley Bryan carded a five-under 65 during the second round alongside Horvat. Tournament conditions, however, weren’t in force.
- READ MORE: Golf fans react after Tiger Woods tells USA’s players to give their Ryder Cup money to charity
The US should benefit from the wider fairways. Bryson DeChambeau, for example, will be able to bomb and gauge and, hopefully, avoid serious trouble.
That being said, Rory McIlroy on the European side will probably welcome the chance to get his driver out and take some of the holes down.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
