Why I’m Hitting the Mute Button for the 2016 Ryder Cup Coverage

In my article written a few days ago, I pleaded for the crowd at the Ryder Cup this week to return to more of a ‘normal’ golf crowd. Skip the crappy comments, skip the ridiculous cheering, just stop acting like idiots.

 
Let me clarify, I don’t care if the crowd cheers louder for the US team than they do for the European team. Likewise, if they were playing in Europe I don’t care if that crowd cheers louder for the European team. That’s what SHOULD happen.

But about three hours into the non-stop coverage of the Ryder Cup this morning, I’ve had to do it. I’ve had to hit the mute button on the TV remote and turn off the volume. Why? What triggered this final straw so soon into the matches?

Rory McIlroy missing a 10-foot putt on #10 elicited CHEERS from the crowd. That should NEVER happen and I find it despicable that anyone would cheer a missed shot in golf. I fully realize that these guys make millions regularly and it probably doesn’t even faze them – but it fazes me and it’s not the way that golf should be played. You’re going to cheer for failure from a guy that you just went crazy cheering for last weekend when he won $10 million dollars?

I had a playoff match last night in my league and I personally wouldn’t want the wife of the guy I’m playing cheering when I missed a shot. Even the other guy wouldn’t have wanted that – it’s against golf culture and unacceptable. So why is it acceptable in arguably the biggest tournament of the year?

So long all you Golf Channel and network announcers. I don’t blame you necessarily. I blame culture today. I’ll spend the rest of the weekend watching the television coverage and calmly jamming away to Linkin Park and the Ramones.

Cover Photo via Flickr