Ryder Cup 2024: US Team Seeks Home Advantage Against Europe

Tommy Fleetwood on Ryder Cup revenge, “you have that feeling of hurt”

Tommy Fleetwood shares his insights on the Ryder Cup and the US team's desire for revenge after Europe's win in Rome. Read more.

“It came to Rome, and I guess it was a very new look of a team, and a home crowd, home advantage, and we took that...”

Tommy Fleetwood is bracing himself for a fierce challenge at the Ryder Cup in Bethpage Black, anticipating a determined U.S. team seeking revenge for Europe's victory in Rome two years ago. Fleetwood knows firsthand about the pain of defeat, having suffered a 19-9 thrashing at the hands of the Americans in 2021 at Whistling Straits. “When you've lost one, yeah, of course you have a chip on your shoulder. You have that feeling of hurt,” he said.

Fleetwood believes the American team will be highly motivated, driven by the desire to win on their home turf. “Of course the American team will have similar sort of feelings,” he said. “They'll have been hurt from last time, and they'll come here and want to win and be at home and win in front of their home crowd. And that's just as it should be.” He also noted that watching the Americans celebrate their victory in Rome was a powerful motivator, saying, 

The Englishman is no stranger to the Ryder Cup, and he's expecting the rowdy New York fans to pose a significant challenge for the defending champions Europe. Fleetwood has come into the competition on a high note, having secured his first PGA Tour win on his 164th attempt at the Tour Championship last month. He's considered one of the toughest European competitors on Long Island, and he'll be looking to make an impact in his fourth Ryder Cup appearance.

Tommy Fleetwood speaks from bitter experience, having suffered a humiliating 19-9 thrashing at the hands of the Americans in 2021 at Whistling Straits. Despite the crushing defeat, Fleetwood believes that the loss ultimately brought the European team closer together. He understands the motivation and hunger for revenge that the American team will bring to the Ryder Cup, having experienced the pain of defeat firsthand. This insight will likely inform his approach to the competition, as he prepares to face off against a determined U.S. team.

“Watching those guys celebrate when you know you didn't feel like you didn't do yourselves justice, I think is one of the most motivating things you can have,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

“It came to Rome, and I guess it was a very new look of a team, and a home crowd, home advantage, and we took that.”

We are ALL Team Europe 💙💛#TeamEurope | #OurTimeOurPlace pic.twitter.com/YXpuUMTaCa

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 24, 2025

The Americans are counting on their home advantage to give them an edge in the Ryder Cup, as the host team has dominated the competition in recent years. In fact, the home team has won the last five Ryder Cups in a row, with the most recent away win being Europe's dramatic victory at Medinah in Illinois back in 2012. This trend is largely attributed to the home team's success in the foursomes format, where they've won 36.5-11.5 since 2012, compared to a more even record in fourballs and singles (63.5-56.5). The Americans will look to leverage this advantage at Bethpage Black, where the raucous New York crowd is expected to provide an intimidating atmosphere for the European team.

“Of course the American team will have similar sort of feelings,” said Fleetwood.

“They'll have been hurt from last time, and they'll come here and want to win and be at home and win in front of their home crowd. And that's just as it should be.”