Riley nailed his prediction for the 2025 Ryder Cup at the famed Bethpage Black Course in New York, calling the final score and American fan behavior.
Australian golf commentator Wayne "Radar" Riley may need to be called "Golf-stradamus" for future editions of the Ryder Cup.
Riley nailed his prediction for the 2025 Ryder Cup at the famed Bethpage Black Course in New York last weekend, foreseeing the final score of the Europeans' 15-13 victory over Team USA and the drama surrounding ugly American fan behavior.
Riley's premonitions were included in press releases for British sportsbook William Hill.
“Team USA are being paid to play - unlike the Europeans – and if they fall behind, the Americans could turn on their own," Riley said in the press release. "It would not surprise me whatsoever if the fans started to show their frustration if their team is losing."
American Ryder Cup fans on Riley's radar
If there was anything that escaped Riley's prophetic golf vision, it was the level of American fan animosity toward European players.
Riley, a former professional golfer who now works as an on-course commentator for Sky Sports golf coverage, predicted that European captain Luke Donald would ensure that none of his players would react to American heckling.
Many European stars did in fact react, most notably Rory McIlroy, who responded to heckles that crossed the line with expletives and some of his best shots of the tournament.
Here's a look at the last of Riley's prediction for the 2025 Ryder Cup:
“Luke Donald will be saying two words to his team in the dressing room before heading out to play: ‘Don’t bite,’ " Riley said. "The American fans are going to try to wind up and provoke the Europeans for five hours straight, but as a player, you cannot bite back.
“Europe (has) some animated characters, such as Robert MacIntyre and Tyrrell Hatton, and they will definitely be targeted by the crowd. I doubt that the Europeans’ approach will be to match the energy from the fans – that’s not a battle they’ll win. But they will be strong-minded in their approach and I don’t think any of them will react to the heckling, their captain will ensure that doesn’t happen.”
Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Ryder Cup controversy nailed in prediction by Australian golf analyst
Category: General Sports
