Bethpage Black, the first-time host of the Ryder Cup, is not going to be a walk in the park. Yes, the A.W. Tillinghast-designed layout will play at 7,352 yards – some 107 yards shorter than it was for the 2019 PGA Championship. Also, yes, it will play as par-70 instead of par-71. Yes, you are again right to point out that the rough has been trimmed.

But…

Don’t mistake that for leniency. The course rating is 78, and its slope rating is 155. The greens are flat, but they are also fast, which means correct reading will be a puzzle. Add to that 76 merciless bunkers, firm fairways, and the grueling walk from the first tee to the 18th green, and you will see why Bethpage will be a stern test.

Take the par-4 7th as an example. Those who stray left off the tee typically play the hole 1.6 strokes over par, while those who veer right average one stroke over. No surprise, only seven percent of attempts result in finding the green in regulation.

So, the Euros couldn’t have asked for a worse venue to claim an away win since 2012. On top of it, the Long Island crowd is already showing its teeth. Witness how Matt Fitzpatrick got heckled by the spectators yesterday. And it was just the practice round.

Now, Team USA has had an edge over Europe in four-balls and singles in the last eight Ryder Cups. Whereas Europe's stronghold has been foursomes, where they've outplayed the Americans by seven points.

So, the strategy for both captains is clear. Team USA will look to take advantage of power hitters and then let them play a wedge to reach the greens. Whereas Donald is relying on his winning formula of team chemistry and strategic pairing.

Expect a nail-biter this year. And expect Bethpage to pack a pretty punch.

Luke Donald dropped a bold prediction on Wednesday. He declared that Team Europe will win over the notoriously hostile Bethpage crowd by week's end. "We know what awaits us; Bethpage isn't exactly shy," he said during the opening ceremony.

The hostility started immediately. It should tell you something when Rory McIlroy gets mercilessly booed. But the Ulsterman saw it coming— just watch how he tackled that ‘warm welcome.’ 

Yet Donald embraces this challenge with surprising confidence."You, the fans here, respect effort over ego. You show up for those who grind, for those who fight," Donald declared. But make no mistake, the European captain didn’t leave the stage without firing a parting shot.

Watch him ditch all subtlety to take aim at American players on getting paid (very pointed words there):

So, the stakes couldn't be higher. With Donald setting the stage, the 50,000 or so fans will create a challenging atmosphere. Yesterday, the grandstand was already pulsating with chants of "USA! USA!" when DeCambeau teed off.

Xander called Bethpage, “Bryson’s arena.” Scottie was asked the same. Here is what he had to say about the only LIV Golfer on the American team. So, yes, DeChambeau can very well make it worse for Europeans.

And history isn’t exactly in their favor either. Only four European teams have conquered American soil. Donald’s squad must now prove that exceptional golf can silence even New York's most ruthless crowd.

Arnold Palmer wasn’t always meant to be a playing captain at the 1963 Ryder Cup. But with Jack Nicklaus ineligible under PGA of America rules, — here is Palmer’s unfiltered thought on that — and a roster already heavy with rookies, Palmer had little choice but to lead from both the bench and the fairway. But the challenge was to get the rookies — Johnny Pott, Tony Lema, Billy Maxwell, and Dave Ragan — ready:

By the way, Palmer also led by example, playing all six sessions despite shoulder pain. He finished at 4-2-0. The 1963 Ryder Cup was just another chapter in his enduring legacy. Here are some more iconic moments that cemented him as one of the sport’s greatest icons.

Wednesday's practice round at Bethpage Black turned into pure chaos. Massive crowds pushed so hard against the barriers that security guards literally had to brace themselves to prevent a collapse. Meanwhile, DeChambeau was in full fan-service mode. That's when something incredible happened that nobody saw coming. Certainly not the security person.

You have to see this moment to believe it because it perfectly captures why Bryson has become such a fan favorite. It took very little time to become viral on social media. And he wasn’t done. Moments later, DeChambeau also decided to name-drop Brandel Chamblee after getting called a ‘captain’s nightmare.’ Listen to the sly jab that had us all rolling.