New York Gov. Kathy Hochul faced a chilly reception on home turf this week when she appeared at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Ryder Cup on Long Island. The governor was greeted not with applause but with resounding boos from the crowd gathered at Bethpage State Park, where Team USA prepared to face off against Team Europe.

According to videos and eyewitness accounts, the reaction was immediate and sustained as Hochul walked onto the stage. Shouts of disapproval rang out, with one attendee reportedly yelling, “You’re the worst!”

The awkward moment unfolded as talk show host Carson Daly, who was emceeing the event, attempted to smooth things over with humor. “She isn’t NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell,” Daly quipped, referencing the often-criticized football executive. But the crowd’s jeers only continued, underscoring the tension.

Hochul’s appearance at the high-profile international golf event was meant to highlight New York’s role as host, yet instead drew attention to the political headwinds she faces within her own state.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell may be accustomed to being booed annually at the draft and even at major games, but on Wednesday, it was Gov. Kathy Hochul who bore the brunt of the crowd’s ire.

During her Ryder Cup appearance, Hochul tried to redirect the audience by calling for applause in support of Team USA. For a moment, the jeers quieted, but they quickly returned. As she exited the stage, emcee Carson Daly quipped dryly, “That went well.”

The disapproval didn’t stop there. According to the New York Post, when U.S. team captain Keegan Bradley and others later mentioned Hochul’s name, the crowd once again erupted in boos. “Get outta here, Kathy!” one fan shouted.

Her chilly reception soon entered the political arena. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican from upstate New York and a declared challenger in next fall’s gubernatorial race, seized on the moment. On X, she posted bluntly: “FIRE HOCHUL. SAVE NEW YORK.”

Hochul’s office downplayed the hostile reception in a statement to the New York Post.

“Governor Hochul is proud to bring three elite golf tournaments to New York over the next decade,” a spokesperson said. “The Governor remains committed to ensuring a world-class experience for the more than 250,000 spectators who will enjoy Bethpage State Park and all the region has to offer in the years ahead.”

The backlash at Bethpage comes as Long Island has trended more Republican in recent election cycles. Hochul, who became governor in 2021 following Andrew Cuomo’s resignation amid allegations of sexual misconduct, narrowly secured a full term the following year in a hard-fought race against Republican challenger Lee Zeldin.

But recent polling underscores the governor’s vulnerability. A Siena University survey released last week found Hochul maintaining strong support among Democrats, but struggling badly with Republicans. Independents were evenly divided, and just 37 percent of voters overall said they would back her for re-election.