Many golfers who have won majors have said that the Ryder Cup hits differently. Tiger Woods has put it, saying, “Basically, it’s the final round of a tournament on the very first hole, and every match you tee it up.” When asked if he subscribes to that line of thinking, Xander Schauffele, already a two-time major champion, agreed. That even his biggest career wins pale in comparison to the emotions of the 100-year-old contest.

“I think that’s a very fair statement. And if you really sit back and take in what’s kind of happening, they just have to be,” said Xander Schauffele on Fore Play Podcast Plus.

The Ryder Cup has always stood apart in golf. Not because of prize money, but because of passion. And, unlike the majors, where millions are at stake, the biennial showdown is fueled by national pride, team spirit, and pressure unlike anything else in the sport.

And it’s not even the team format alone, but the atmosphere at the course that sets it apart. Referring to the upcoming 2025 Ryder Cup, Xander said,

“Bethpage is going to be insane. We’re going to have what, 30, 40, 50,000 people in the first hole yelling at you? That doesn’t happen at a major. You make a birdie at a major; people yell for you. Like no one yells at you just unsolicited. And they’re going to be yelling for us, and it’s still going to pump you up to a place that you’re not used to, like hitting a golf shot at.”

In 2023, around 271,191 people from 100 different countries attended the game in person in Rome. Additionally, around 2,653 social media posts across official Ryder Cup Europe, Ryder Cup USA, and joint Ryder Cup channels generated 600 million impressions and page views. This shows how involved fans can become when watching teams from two regions competing against each other. Their involvement alone can make players’ adrenaline pump to a whole new level.

So, with two Ryder Cup appearances and an overall record of 4-4-0, Schauffele definitely knows where he is coming from with these statements. He even reflected on his experience of the 2023 Ryder Cup and why these team events are so emotional for him.

“Pat (Patrick Cantlay) was playing really well. I was in this spot to make a few putts that were so important for our team, and I missed them. And I’ve never felt so upset. So I was pissed. And I was like, gosh, I remember why I don’t play team sports because usually if you’re great, it’s on you. If you suck, it’s on you. But now you’re letting down guys that are out there bleeding for you.”

The missed putts on holes 16 and 17 were significant moments. Xander believes that they could have changed the momentum of their match. That’s why he felt upset and frustrated with himself.

The 2024 Open Championship winner saying emotions run higher at the Ryder Cup than even the oldest major tournaments, which may come as a surprise for some. However, he is not the only one who feels this way.

Players who share the same sentiment as Xander Schauffele

Schauffele isn’t the only one saying the Ryder Cup is more emotional than majors; many others feel the same sentiment. It is hard to forget Rory McIlroy’s teary interview after his 2021 Ryder Cup victory against Xander himself.

While talking about his emotional meltdown, Rory said, “I don’t necessarily get that emotional about golf, so I guess in that way it surprised me. But as you know, it’s a very emotionally charged week.” He even said that while major championships have been his proudest moments, his best experiences have been in the Ryder Cup.

Another example of how emotional the Ryder Cup is can be seen in Bubba Watson’s interview after the American team won in 2016. It was only the second time the team had won in the last eight tournaments. Bubba was the fifth vice-captain of the team, and when asked about his contributions after the win, he wept openly.

“Finally, I found my place on the team is to help,” he said. “A couple of guys called me and said, ‘Bubba, I need you by my side, shoulder to shoulder.’ That’s what I did.”

For Xander Schauffele and many others, the Ryder Cup represents a peak of emotion that even majors cannot match. While the pressure of majors defines careers, the experience of playing in the Ryder Cup fuels something emotional. Golfers play for the team and the nation’s pride. The emotions stirred by the 2025 Ryder Cup will be worth watching. The emotional meltdown, the atmosphere created by the crowd, and the intensity of representing their nations, everything will only grow this emotion stronger.