Europeans turn into Packers fans at Ryder Cup 🧀
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP/CBS 58) -- What better way for the Europeans to lure fans to their side at the Ryder Cup than by wearing Green Bay Packers colors and donning cheesehead hats while they're in Wisconsin?
Team Europe tweeted video of themselves and received big cheers when they tossed the cheeseheads into the crowd Wednesday, Sept. 22.
Clad in white pullovers with green and yellow striping down the sides, the European players did all they could to endear themselves to the crowd on the first tee box Wednesday. After posing for a photo op, the players took off the foam headwear and threw it into the stands, before heading out for practice rounds at brisk-and-breezy Whistling Straits.
Getting the locals onside @packers ?#TeamEurope#RyderCuppic.twitter.com/JpKHbSfYCH
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 22, 2021
America's home-course advantage figures to be accentuated this year because of COVID 19-related travel restrictions that will make it difficult for European fans to make it to the course, located in the heart of America's dairy country.
European captain Padraig Harrington said team managers had suggested a green motif for some of the uniforms as a way of honoring his Irish homeland. Harrington said he wasn't so concerned with that, but he suggested adding some yellow to the green as a tribute of sorts to the local NFL team.
Certainly couldn't hurt to try to get some Wisconsin folks on his team's side, he figured.
Pairings for the opening round will be released Thursday evening, with play starting with alternate-shot matches Friday morning. Europe holds the cup and has won nine of the last 12 meetings.
Cheeseheads with green & yellow on the first tee in Wisconsin.#TeamEurope knows what they're doing. pic.twitter.com/wEbWByzRTI
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 22, 2021
It was an endearing move for a crowd that is red, white, and blue. Watching the fans at Whistling Straits -- Team USA is well-represented.
Signs of international nature of the event are everywhere from the international pavillion to the Team Europe players on the signange. On the grounds -- at least for now -- it's Team USA all the way.
Lots of people told CBS 58 they expect a more international crowd for the weekend.
Sheboygan native, Ali Bautista, is just glad to see the course packed regardless of which team wins.
"We're so happy it got rescheduled to 2021 and we're just thrilled and honored to have so many people visiting from all over the world," said Bautista.