Morikawa on home advantage: "I hope it's absolute chaos on Friday"

The Ryder Cup is known for its unique and often electrifying atmosphere created by passionate fans. On the Bethpage Black Course in New York, the tension is particularly palpable. Players and captains from both teams have spoken in their press conferences about their expectations of the spectators and the importance of home advantage.

What Team Europe can expect at the Ryder Cup

For the European team playing away from home, the crowd is a crucial factor. Tommy Fleetwood, who is playing in his fourth Ryder Cup, doesn't see the home crowd as a hindrance, but as an integral part of the experience. He emphasizes that the fans are a big part of the character of the tournament: "The home fans are a big part of what makes the Ryder Cup so special and so unique to us." According to Fleetwood, this special atmosphere must be appreciated: "That energy, that passion and that home crowd play such a big part in the Ryder Cup and I think you have to embrace it, enjoy it and look forward to it, even if you're the away team."

Justin Rose, who is preparing for his seventh Ryder Cup, reflects on the ever-increasing intensity of the event. "I feel like every opportunity gets more intense and more intense, which is obviously a lot of fun." Looking ahead to the upcoming competition, Rose predicts that Friday afternoon will "certainly be very intense and entertaining" for the fans.

Florian Bauer, who is at the Ryder Cup in New York for All4Golf and Greenfeed.news, among others, also reported thousands of fans on the course at Bethpage State Park on Wednesday.

What the American players expect from home advantage

For the US team playing in front of a home crowd, fan support is an important source of motivation. Collin Morikawa gives an insight into the psychological effects of home advantage. He describes how cheering on the crowd increases concentration and makes you want to win for the many spectators cheering you on. Morikawa hopes the atmosphere in the main rounds will be extreme. "I hope it's absolute chaos on Friday. I'm all for that. I think that fits who we are as American players and as an American team. We want that. We want to use that to our advantage." Morikawa even goes a step further and wants the fans who are still asking for autographs during the practice rounds to "go nuts" on Friday.

Captain Keegan Bradley also shares this expectation. He describes the expected atmosphere as "electric, raucous and yes, respectful", which is what makes the tournament so unique. He urges fans to harness the passion of New Yorkers to turn the place into a true home-court advantage. "Bethpage Black is known as the 'People's Country Club'. They call it New York's home court. But this week, with your passion and energy, you will make it America's home court."