It’s the Ryder Cup week, and there are a couple of things we need to talk about. First up, it is the endless rivalries, controversies, and trash talk this patriotic event is riddled with. Sure, there may be shining examples of sportsmanship coming from the Ryder Cup, like the popular ‘The Concession’ between Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin, but it’d be a miss not to mention the moments when things got testy. And we have done exactly that in this list. Starting with…

Seve Ballesteros vs Paul Azinger

Seve Ballesteros and Paul Azinger weren’t always enemies. But whatever friendly relationship they had ended at the 1989 Ryder Cup. It started on the second green when Azinger refused Ballesteros’ argument over a scuffed ball. It started a heated spat between them.

The Spanish legend even infamously said, “Is this the way you want to play today?” Unfortunately, it didn’t end there. On the 18th hole, the two argued over a drop from the water hazard, and concluded with Azinger winning 1-up. Still, Ballesteros reclaimed his (and team’s) confidence and pride when Europe pocketed the trophy, thanks to a 14-14 tie.

Here’s how Azinger reacted to the controversy over thirty years later:

But it wasn’t over yet.

The other Seve Ballesteros vs Paul Azinger controversy

If the so-called “War on the Shore” 1991 Ryder Cup is remembered for anything, it’s probably (and most definitely) for the next big Seve Ballesteros and Paul Azinger feud. Their first argument started when Ballesteros and his playing partner, Jose Maria Olazabal, accused the Americans of using two different balls. Illegally. Of course, it was not resolved in the Spanish pros’ favor.

Regardless, the Spanish duo went on to win the match 2&1 against the American pair. And then came the post-match fallout. Ballesteros labeled Azinger a liar, and Azinger responded by calling Ballesteros “the king of gamesmanship,” all the while accusing him of intentionally coughing during his shots.

Brookline brawlers

The 1999 Ryder Cup at The Country Club can easily be considered one of the lowest moments in the Ryder Cup’s history. And it all started with a celebration. The American team pulled off an epic comeback from 10-6 down heading into Sunday. Justin Leonard’s gritty display was the linchpin, as he fought back from 4 down to level his match against European pro Jose Maria Olazabal. But the air shifted dramatically on the 17th hole when Leonard sank a 45-foot birdie putt, sending the American camp into a frenzy.

The celebration on the 17th green was intense. Players, wives, and others stormed the green, cheering wildly. It was very messy. And disrespectful because the match wasn’t over yet.

Jose Maria Olazabal was left waiting to take his putt, only to find his line trampled by the crowd. He missed the putt, and the American team sealed their dramatic win. But the aftermath was marred by controversy. The 17th-green incident sparked outrage, with Vice-captain Sam Torrance branding the event as “It was the most disgraceful and disgusting day in the history of professional golf.” To be fair, he was not only talking about this moment, but players like Tom Lehman, who reportedly insulted the European players.

Nick Faldo accused Sergio Garcia of being “useless”

The feud between Nick Faldo and Sergio Garcia stems from the disastrous 2008 Ryder Cup, where Faldo’s captaincy led to a humiliating loss at Valhalla, marking the worst European performance in 40 years. This loss sparked intense soul-searching and a shift in how European captains were selected, with a new focus on succession experience and moving away from lifetime achievement awards. But that was for later.

Faldo never let go of the defeat and largely pinned the blame on Garcia. 6 years after that disaster, in 2014, Faldo criticized Garcia’s Ryder Cup performance, calling him “useless” in Kentucky. Garcia didn’t say anything for some time. Then, four years later, when Garcia won three points for Europe in Paris and became Europe’s all-time points leader, he said, “This means a lot to me. I have passed some of my heroes today — and Nick Faldo.”

To LIV or not is the question

When LIV Golf came into the picture, it did not just affect your regular professional golf but also the Ryder Cup. The strained relationship reached its pinnacle when Henrik Stenson was replaced by Luke Donald for his LIV Golf loyalty. In the meantime, LIV defectors Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, and Sergio Garcia gave up their DP World Tour memberships. That effectively ended any chance of their chance at getting back into the Ryder Cup team, regardless of their scoring history.

The drama spilled over to the US side, with LIV players facing fierce criticism and suspension from the American circuit. Brooks Koepka was the sole LIV representative to make it to Rome, thanks to his PGA Championship win. In fact, to this day, this “high-level politics” is discussed by Graeme McDowell.

On the other hand, on-field tensions boiled over off it, too, as Rory McIlroy sparked a fiery confrontation on Saturday night over appearance fees and Patrick Cantlay‘s decision not to wear his USA cap. European fans seized on the moment, mocking Cantlay by waving their caps whenever he played.

While this sums up our list, the Ryder Cup has been marred by several other such controversies. Or, worse.