Ryder Cup accused of pricing fans out of Bethpage Black due to $750 day tickets

  • Standard tickets for Rome last year cost just over £200
  • Online backlash over price hike for New York edition

Golf fans seeking to attend the Ryder Cup next year through the event’s “random selection” process face being charged $750 for day tickets for the competition proper. The cost of attending Bethpage Black in New York, where Europe are seeking to defend the trophy won in Rome last year, is only likely to increase the sense the Ryder Cup is pricing out ordinary golf fans as it moves towards the corporate classes. The online backlash has proved fierce.

Those who have not already bought Bethpage tickets can register for free via the Ryder Cup’s official site for the random allocation. Successful applicants for the event next September will be informed by early next month. Only single tickets for each day have been made available although those picked via the ballot may be able to buy up to four, if they can afford them.

Continue reading...

Sergio García could make Ryder Cup return after talks with Luke Donald

  • Spaniard would have to rejoin DP World Tour
  • García has had strong season in LIV Golf

Sergio García could be in line for a sensational Ryder Cup return at Bethpage next year after Luke ­Donald revealed he has held recent talks with the ­Spaniard about rejoining the DP World Tour.

García resigned from the Tour in 2023 after a sports arbitration panel ruled sanctions imposed on the former Masters champion and others who joined LIV Golf were ­appropriate. That appeared the end of the Ryder Cup road for García, the event’s record points scorer, given only DP World Tour members can play for Europe. García had an impressive 2024 season on LIV, ­finishing third on the overall individual standings.

Continue reading...

Augusta National assessing damage caused by Hurricane Helene

One of the nation's most storied golf courses is dealing with the aftermath of Helene, the former Category 4 hurricane that made landfall in Florida on Friday

One of the nation’s most storied golf courses is dealing with the aftermath of Helene, the former Category 4 hurricane that made landfall in Florida on Friday and was downgraded to a tropical depression as it continued its wrath into Georgia on Friday.

Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement Saturday officials still are assessing how much damage was done to the iconic course, which has hosted the annual Masters Tournament since 1934. Augusta, Georgia, is located in the eastern portion of the state, along the border of South Carolina.

Continue reading...

‘The challenge attracted me’: Peter Odemwingie’s move from Premier League striker to golf pro

Former Nigeria international on starting in slippers, hoping to inspire African golfers and that attempt to join QPR

“It’s unbelievable,” says Peter Odemwingie. “I never thought I could get so obsessed with this game.” On a cloudy Tuesday afternoon in the affluent northern suburbs of Birmingham, the former West Brom, Stoke and Nigeria striker has just ripped a drive well beyond 300 yards down the third fairway at Sutton Coldfield Golf Club.

Watched by Odemwingie and his friend and fellow pro Lewis Pearce from nearby Aston Wood GC – not to mention Pearce’s pet dachshund, George – it is soon my turn to step up to the tee. Having somehow scrambled a par to win the 1st, my early advantage has evaporated thanks to a miscued tee shot into the trees at the 2nd. With the match level, the pressure is on. But sadly my tee shot fails to get off the ground and comes to rest in a big patch of heather no more than 80 yards away.

Continue reading...