Stepping up to take the opening tee shot at the Ryder Cup is one of those moments in golf that stays with you, even for players who’ve seen it all. It’s a different kind of pressure, and plenty of legends have said it still gets to them.
Nothing is ever settled on the first morning, but there’s always a chance to set an early tone. If Bryson DeChambeau finds the green right out of the gate, the crowd at Bethpage could hit another level altogether.
The flip side is just as real. For anyone who slips up early, especially with Europe hitting first this year, it’s about as tough a start as you can imagine.
Now add in the story behind Alex Noren’s selection. He only got into the mix after ringing up Luke Donald to make his case. That phone call turned into a ticket to Bethpage and now he leads things off for Europe against Clark and DeChambeau.
Webb Simpson’s Ryder Cup story: from captain’s pick to first tee nerves
Webb Simpson’s journey to the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles began with a phone call. The US side, led by Tom Watson, was already facing scrutiny before a ball had been struck, and some of that stemmed from how the captain made his final selections.
Reports at the time suggested Bill Haas was expected to be named alongside Keegan Bradley and Hunter Mahan. Players even believed it was a done deal after speaking with Watson directly.
But as word spread around the range during the BMW Championship, Simpson was on the phone to Watson making his case for inclusion. Despite missing three cuts in six starts, he convinced Watson to change course.
Simpson found himself in the opening match of the competition, paired with Bubba Watson against Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson in fourballs. The moment didn’t go as planned.
Simpson opted for a fairway wood off the first tee but skied it badly. The ball barely reached the fairway, setting an uneasy tone for what lay ahead.
The reaction from the gallery wasn’t harsh – just a polite clap – but it felt like a warning of things to come. Europe won that match 5&4. Simpson wasn’t used again until singles play, where he managed half a point against Ian Poulter.
How Tiger Woods nearly claimed the title for worst opening Ryder Cup tee shot in 2006
Tony Finau was told by Brooks Koepka he would lead the side off in Paris in 2018, and nearly put his ball into the water with the adrenaline clearly flowing. He left himself with no shot into the green.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods would have taken the title for the worst first tee shot off Simpson had him and Jim Furyk opted for a different order in 2006.
Furyk hit a perfect drive down the middle of the fairway at The K Club before Woods managed to hook his fairway wood into the water.
Woods still finished the week as Team USA’s leading points scorer, with himself and Furyk actually going to win that opening match against Colin Montgomerie and Pádraig Harrington 1 up.
Europe ended up having the last laugh with an 18.5-9.5 victory.
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