I said back in January that Luke Donald’s European Ryder Cup team were heading for trouble at Bethpage in September. The atmosphere, the course, the weight of history – it looked like the odds were stacked against them.

But my word, what a season it’s been for the Europeans across the pond.

Ryder Cup Momentum for Europe’s Stars

Rory McIlroy finally slipping into a Green Jacket was a huge moment, not just for Rory but for the whole European camp. Momentum is priceless in team golf and the DP World Tour players have been bagging it by the bucketload.

Sepp Straka doubled up with two wins, Thomas Detry conquered the raucous Waste Management Phoenix Open, Ludvig Åberg showed his superstar credentials at Riviera by winning the Genesis Invitational, Viktor Hovland nailed the Valspar, Justin Rose added the FedEx St Jude to his mantelpiece and Tommy Fleetwood crowned it all with that glorious breakthrough at the TOUR Championship.

That’s not just form – that’s a statement. Europe head to New York as genuine favourites.

Bethpage Black Ryder Cup Crowd Challenge

But here’s the catch: the crowd.

Bethpage fans aren’t your polite hand-clappers from Augusta. These are New Yorkers – they don’t do inside voices. They heckle like seasoned Ashes sledgers and take great joy in getting under your skin.

I still remember Brooks Koepka leading the PGA Championship there, only for the galleries to turn on him, chanting Dustin Johnson’s name down the fairways: “He’s going to catch you! He’s going to catch you!”

And that was aimed at one of their own! Imagine what’s in store for McIlroy, Fleetwood and company.

Yes, the locals admire our lads, but come Ryder Cup week, it’s pure red, white and blue. Europe’s real test won’t be the fairways – it’ll be their nerve.

Keegan Bradley Playing Captain Debate

On the subject of nerves, plenty have asked whether Keegan Bradley should have picked himself. It’s a fair shout.

He’s 11th in the Official World Golf Ranking, with only seven Americans ahead of him, and he birdied the last at the Travelers to edge Fleetwood in a finish made for match play. Any other captain would have slotted him straight in.

Personally, I don’t mind the idea of a playing captain, that’s what vice-captains are for, but it’s a heavy load to carry. Keegan’s been on two losing sides and he’ll be desperate to set that right.

The MENA Golf Tour Rises Again

Away from Ryder Cup hype, one bit of news genuinely made my week: the MENA Golf Tour is back.

And not just back – it’s back with Keith Waters at the helm. For years Keith was one of the biggest driving forces behind the DP World Tour’s growth in the Middle East, so if anyone can steer this ship, it’s him.

Pathway from MENA Golf Tour to DP World Tour

Covid knocked the stuffing out of the MENA Golf Tour, but it has always delivered properly run events and, crucially, a platform.

Just ask Robert MacIntyre or Thriston Lawrence – both cut their teeth on the MENA Golf Tour before climbing the ladder to the big stage. A structured pathway is exactly what the region needs and it’s a boost for the global game too.

I’ve already had a chat with my grandson Freddie about it, and he’s keen – as are plenty of his mates. Spaces will vanish fast once the categories and schedule drop.

Sure, some players may be counting their pennies at the end of a long European season, but the appeal of the MENA Golf Tour is global. It’s a chance to get noticed, to test yourself, to make a name.

Instant Prize Payments for Golf Professionals

And here’s the best part: instant prize payments.

Donna Benton – the successful entrepreneur behind the Entertainer and the driving force funding this relaunch – has insisted on it. For young pros grinding week to week, that’s not a nice-to-have, that’s survival.

Entry fees, flights, hotel bills – they don’t wait 30 days. Paying out inside 48 hours is a game-changer.

MENA Golf Tour Relaunch 2025

So here’s to Keith, Donna and the team.

The MENA Golf Tour has been sorely missed. It’s fantastic to see it back on the calendar – and I, for one, can’t wait to watch the next wave of stars use it as their springboard.