Golf really is the best. It doesn’t matter if you’re out on your own grinding on your game, chasing a personal best, or out with buddies you can’t stand losing to. Sometimes it’s about hyping up your partner in a team game and carrying each other when things aren’t clicking. No matter the situation, you’re always trying to hit that one perfect shot.

That’s what makes the Ryder Cup so special. It’s one of the rare times we get to see players who are normally individualistic come together to represent their country. It’s no longer “I need to beat 100 other guys,” it’s “we need to beat them.”

This year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York felt different from other team events or even standard PGA Tour stops. From the opening tee shot, you could sense the intensity radiating from the European team. Jon Rahm’s steely glare on Friday morning set the tone. He and Tyrrell Hatton were locked in, determined not to lose the opening match. What followed was one of the most dominant foursomes performances in Ryder Cup history. Ludvig Åberg and Matt Fitzpatrick fired seven birdies to crush world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley 5 & 3.

Europe never let off the gas. Over the first two days, it seemed like no matter which American hit a good shot, Europe would answer with something better. They gained over eight strokes putting compared to Team USA, and every big putt seemed to drop. By Saturday night, Europe had built a commanding 11.5–4.5 lead, putting the U.S. in a hole they hadn’t faced in years.

The pre-event buzz centered on how the European team would handle the raucous New York crowds, known for their unfiltered passion. The U.S. team, backed by the PGA of America, hoped the fans and high-profile supporters like former President Donald Trump would give them an edge. But the crowd’s energy might have backfired. At times, the fans crossed the line, heckling Europeans like Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry in ways that felt more hostile than spirited. You could see moments where U.S. players were taken aback by the treatment of their opponents.

For the Europeans, though, it was fuel. These are world-class athletes who’ve poured their lives into perfecting their craft. Give them a reason to dig deeper, and they’ll fight harder. That chip on their shoulder seemed to drive them to play with even more fire.

Golf needs fire. Rivalries aren’t a bad thing; they fuel intensity and elevate competition. But golf has always been a game built on honesty and respect, and that standard shouldn’t apply only to the players. It should extend to the fans as well. Let the players do the talking with their games, not by being baited with derogatory comments from the crowd.

Still, Sunday offered hope for the Americans, with 12 points up for grabs in singles. A comeback would’ve required near-perfection, but it wasn’t impossible, and Team USA gave it everything. The morning kicked off with a twist. Viktor Hovland’s withdrawal triggered the rarely used envelope rule, where each captain names a player, typically the weakest, to automatically halve a match if an opponent can’t play. This hadn’t been invoked since 1991’s “War by the Shore,” when the U.S. edged Europe 14.5–13.5. Now with the score adjusted to 12–5 before a single shot, Europe needed just two points to retain the Cup.

To their credit, Team USA came out swinging. Most matches went the distance, with only one ending before the 17th hole—Xander Schauffele’s 4 & 3 win over Rahm. Rookie Cameron Young, who ended the week as the top American with a 3–1 record, drained a clutch putt on 18 to beat Justin Rose. Justin Thomas followed with a birdie to edge Tommy Fleetwood, and suddenly there was a flicker of hope.

The biggest fight came from Bryson DeChambeau, who had struggled all week but clawed back from five down through seven holes to tie Fitzpatrick. Right behind them, Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler went head-to-head in a heavyweight duel. Rory had been one of Europe’s best players, while Scheffler hadn’t earned a point. But riding the energy of Saturday’s afternoon session and watching Bryson’s comeback, Scheffler finally delivered, beating Rory 1 up.

Every match mattered, and the Europeans were counting points to secure not just the Cup but a decisive win. The U.S. clawed back with wins from Schauffele over Rahm and Spaun over Sepp Straka, but Ludvig Åberg answered for Europe, beating Patrick Cantlay. The turning point came in Shane Lowry’s match against Brian Harman. Harman hit brilliant irons down the stretch but left key putts short, and Lowry capitalized with a birdie on 18 to halve the match, clinching the Cup for Europe. The celebration was just as expected from Lowry, with the players who had already finished rushing to join him.

Europe wasn’t done. With three matches left, they pushed for an outright victory. Ben Griffin held off Rasmus Højgaard to bring the U.S. within two points of a tie, but a halve between Collin Morikawa and Tyrrell Hatton sealed the win for Europe. In the final match, Robert MacIntyre halved with Sam Burns on 18, giving Europe a 15–13 victory.

This Ryder Cup was one of the most hyped in recent memory. On American soil, with a passionate crowd, the U.S. was hoping to flip the script after Europe’s dominance over the past two decades. Instead, we’ll have to wait until 2027 at Adare Manor in Ireland to see if the U.S. can bounce back.

Looking ahead, something has to change. The U.S. needs to make sure its 12 best players are on the team, no matter where they play. Experience and big-moment players matter, and a few felt left out this time. The Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup also need to be more clearly defined. The U.S. dominates the Presidents Cup, but the Ryder Cup is a whole different animal. Too many golf organizations want their say, and the result is rules and politics getting in the way of the best product.

Golf is moving in different directions, and if we’re only going to get an event like this every two years, it has to feature the very best. Fans deserve it, and the sport deserves it. Hopefully, the powers that be figure it out and push golf to an even better place.