What A Disaster.

I thought this week at Bethpage Black was going to be one for the history books. An evenly-matched battle between two teams with everything on the line. It turns out I was right, but for the wrong reasons.

The Europeans entered Saturday with a 5½-2½ lead, and after another dominating performance in foursomes, they began four-ball up 8½-3½. As the situation grew more dire for the Americans, emotions started to boil over—everywhere.

Fans became unruly. Insults were hurled in every direction, especially towards Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry. At one point, McIlroy told the gallery to “shut the fuck up,” and Lowry singled out a fan and told them “fuck you.”

There were multiple reports from media members on-site that things were spiraling.

As it continued, security and police reinforcements were sent to the Irishmans’ match in an effort to get things back under control. Justin Thomas and Cameron Young, McIlroy and Lowry’s opponents, were also trying to subdue chants and insults when the Europeans were attempting to hit shots.

On Friday, I complained about the lack of energy out at Bethpage and urged the fans to bring it with them over the weekend, but this isn’t the shit I was talking about. There’s a line, and the New York crowds quickly (and loudly) blew by it—but it is New York, we shouldn’t be surprised. You can’t blame them for being exactly what they are.

Lowry even had to be held back at one point from charging a fan.

According to Claire Rodgers of Golf.com, a fist fight broke out in the 18th grandstand as the matches came to a close.

And to add insult to injury, we saw tempers flare between Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Ted Scott (Scottie Scheffler’s caddie), and Bryson DeChambeau after DeChambeau’s caddie got in Rose’s way when he was trying to putt.

On the way to the next tee, there was a heated exchange.

"It's my putt, right? ... or however I said it, maybe I didn't say it as politely as I could have said it in the moment. By no means was there any disrespect,” Rose said after the match.

“I was waiting to putt…I felt like they came up again. It was taken the wrong way… it was an amazing match honestly.”

Fleetwood added: “It’s one moment. You’re out there, it happens. It’s not that big of a deal.”

Everyone shook hands after the match and seemed to make amends. If you forget, a similar thing happened two years ago in Rome when Joe Cava got in McIlroy’s way.

By the end of the session, Europe earned another 3-1 victory and enters Sunday Singles up 11½-4½, just two-and-a-half points away from retaining the cup. Keegan Bradley and his squad are all but finished.

As for the lesson of the day for all the kids (and immature adults) out there: just because you're getting your ass kicked, doesn't mean you have the right to act like an asshole.

It wasn’t just an embarrassing day for Team USA, but for New York and the fans outside the ropes. A disgusting showing from the hosts.