The drama at Bethpage Black wasn’t limited to the golf on Friday as one unfortunate spectator took a spectacular tumble on live television while attempting to photograph Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka.
The incident occurred during the Friday afternoon fourballs, where Europe’s Rahm and Straka were in complete control of their match against world No 1 Scottie Scheffler and JJ Spaun.
The European duo went on to secure a convincing 3&2 victory, but the most memorable moment for many fans watching at home came just as they left the 13th green.
In a clip that quickly went viral on social media, a fan dressed in a black top and cap was seen carefully stepping out from behind a group of spectators to get a better angle for a photograph.
Unfortunately for him, the sodden ground proved treacherous.
With Thursday’s torrential rain still lingering underfoot and thousands of supporters having trampled over the viewing areas, the slope down from the spectator mound was slick.
As the man attempted to find his footing, he slipped, his legs shooting out from under him in what viewers likened to a “cartoon-style wipeout.”
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Spectators at Bethpage Black watched Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka arrive
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To make matters worse, another good Samaritan rushed to his aid but promptly lost his balance as well, slipping on the same patch of wet grass.
Thankfully, both men appeared unharmed, and they laughed off the incident as play continued.
The comical moment provided a light-hearted contrast to what had been a bruising day for Team USA.
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Sepp Straka and Jon Rahm impressed at the Ryder Cup
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Europe stormed to a 3-1 lead in the morning foursomes and looked poised for a historic whitewash until Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay snatched the Americans’ first point of the competition on the final hole.
Even so, Luke Donald’s side headed into the weekend with a commanding 5.5-2.5 advantage after another dominant afternoon performance in the fourballs.
Rahm, who continues to thrive in the Ryder Cup environment, looked particularly sharp alongside Straka, mixing power and precision to silence a partisan New York crowd.
The weather had already played its part earlier in the week, forcing Ryder Cup organisers to move Wednesday’s opening ceremony forward by a day and shift the junior event to a different course altogether.
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Luke Donald's side made a positive start to the Ryder Cup on Saturday
| GETTYParts of Bethpage Black, including sections of the 18th green, had been left waterlogged by heavy downpours, making Friday’s clean and fast conditions a relief for both players and fans.
But it was this fan’s slippery misstep – and his friend’s failed rescue attempt – that had spectators on site and those watching on TV chuckling.
Social media users were quick to share slow-motion replays of the fall, with one viewer writing: “This might be the best moment of the Ryder Cup so far.”
Europe will hope their Friday dominance sets the tone for the rest of the weekend, as they look to secure a first Ryder Cup victory on American soil since 2012.