Former Ryder Cup Star Calls Out First Day of TV Coverage Amid Fan Complaints
Several golf fans and a Ryder Cup icon took to social media to complain about a television channel's coverage of the opening day of the 2025 tournament.
Europe got off to a flying start on day one of the 45th edition of the Ryder Cup, which is being held on the Black Course of Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York.
Team Europe duo Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton started the day with a 4&3 victory over Team USA’s Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas – although their match was not without controversy.
And despite some of the world’s best golfers, such as Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Scottie Scheffler, all due to showcase their talents at the tournament, some fans and former Ryder Cup player Graeme McDowell were quick to point out an annoyance earlier on day one.
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The Northern Irishman took to social media to complain about the number of commercial breaks during USA Network’s broadcast.
McDowell, who holed the winning putt in Europe’s 2010 Ryder Cup victory, wrote on X: “This @USANetwork coverage is driving me insane already. Think we are on the 5th commercial break. May have to flip on the @SkySports version. Any better?”
The 46-year-old has 11 tournament victories on the European Tour, four on the PGA Tour – including one major (the 2010 U.S. Open).
In 2022, he joined the breakaway tour LIV Golf.
And it was not just the golfer who was annoyed at the number of commercials on the American network's coverage.
Several fans took to social media to offer their thoughts.
One said: “I love commercials with a side of Ryder Cup.”
Another added: “3 minutes of commercial, five shots at the MF Ryder cup (there are 6 people on the course), and then right back to commercials."
A third claimed: “Welcome to @USANetwork coverage of commercials with limited breaks of Ryder Cup action. This is absolutely terrible.”
While a fourth commented: “Welcome to the Ryder Cup... where you can watch 15 minutes of golf and 45 minutes of commercials! Disgusting.”
A fifth exclaimed: “Love watching commercials with some Ryder Cup mixed in. It can’t be stated just how horrific the product NBC is providing golf fans on its biggest weekend”
SPORTbible has contacted NBC Universal for comment
Luke Davies