How singing fans give the Ryder Cup its rhythm

There is no such thing as a polite golf clap at the Ryder Cup — the noise from the galleries can be deafening.

Unlike the typical calls for “quiet please” at any other tournament, players often tee off against a crescendo of noise and the fans show their appreciation with songs of praise; the atmosphere of this biennial event feels much more like a Premier League derby match than anything else.

“It really is an environment that you want to experience as a player,” said the European captain Luke Donald to CNN Sports. “I think these guys embrace that. They thrive in it. They’re looking forward to hearing the noise out there.”

The American fans prefer to chant, their favorite being a repetitive, thunderous staccato of “U-S-A!” The Europeans, on the other hand, favor bespoke soccer-style songs with which they serenade individual players or their team as a whole. “Europe’s on fire, USA is terrified,” was one of the more popular songs at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, adapted to the melody of ‘Freed from Desire’ by the Italian Europop artist Gala. An homage to the Irish star Rory McIlroy, “He’s in your head, Rory” is sung to the tune of The Cranberries’ “Zombie,” “Oh Matthew Fitzpatrick” is sung to the ominous melody of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” while Viktor Hovland’s name is sung to Depeche Mode’s upbeat “Just Can’t Get Enough.”

Paul McGinley is a veteran of the European team — he sunk the winning putt in 2002 and he was a victorious captain in 2014. “It’s a raucous atmosphere, decibels through the roof, it’s not something they’re used to,” he told CNN Sports. “They’re all soccer fans, so to be treated by the fans like soccer players is a big deal to them.”