
Brooklyn Beckham, the eldest son of soccer legend David and fashion icon Victoria, stepped onto the greens of Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York, on Wednesday, hoping to channel some of his dad’s athletic magic. Instead, the 26-year-old influencer found himself in a SoCal-level mess - minus the Malibu sun - at the Ryder Cup celebrity golf tournament. With family drama already buzzing in the background, this wasn’t the red carpet moment he might’ve wanted.
Joined by an all-star crew including basketball legend Toni Kukoč, NFL star Eli Manning, and SNL’s Colin Jost, Brooklyn was part of the first round of celebrity play-offs. But while the East Coast crowd roared for their faves, Brooklyn’s game was more Hollywood flop than blockbuster hit. From wild swings to lost balls, his performance had fans whispering - and not in a good way.
Amidst rumors of a widening rift with his famous fam - think no-shows at major Beckham bashes like David’s 50th birthday - Brooklyn’s focus seemed split. Yet, even without that baggage, his golf game was a straight-up struggle. Let’s just say the greens weren’t his turf.
Picture this: Brooklyn, sporting a fresh beard and a look of pure confusion, tromping through shrubbery looking for a golf ball that took a hard left into nowhere. Fans at Bethpage Black couldn’t help but gawk as the influencer wandered aimlessly after a swing gone wrong. Some even threw out pantomime jeers, turning his search into a full-on spectacle.
“Man, can’t they just grab a new ball or something?”
That was the vibe from one puzzled onlooker, clearly not up on golf rules, as Brooklyn kept hunting. Things didn’t get better from there - the day kicked off with him stuck in a bunker right after teeing off, and he couldn’t seem to escape the sand traps. An insider spilled to the Daily Mail that his luck was trash from the jump, with the team blowing past the three-minute search limit and forcing a do-over.
As the 11-hole match dragged on, Brooklyn’s game didn’t improve - think balls flying out of bounds and more bunker drama than a Venice Beach soap opera. The crowd wasn’t shy about their opinions either, with some calling his play “terrible” and others straight-up questioning his celeb status. “Who even is this guy?” was a common murmur, answered by those in the know with a shrug and “David Beckham’s kid.”
While Eli Manning had fans waving posters and begging for autographs - some even tossing footballs for a quick catch between holes - Brooklyn got no love. According to the insider, he kept his head down, dodged the rowdy USA team supporters, and at one point veered far from the crowd like he was done with the noise. His only cheer squad? A supportive caddy with reassuring back pats and the occasional fist bump from a teammate.
Teammate Toni Kukoč didn’t escape the shade either, with one fan snarking, “Isn’t he making you look small?” Ouch. Brooklyn’s mood was reportedly sour throughout, a stark contrast to the energy of stars like Manning and Jost, who soaked up the cheers.
Post-game, Brooklyn didn’t dodge the tough stuff, chatting with the Daily Mail about the icy reception. “I feel like they didn’t like me at all - but it was amazing,” he admitted with a laugh, owning the crowd’s jabs while facing off against fan-fave Eli in New York territory. “They gave me a bit of rubbish, but I kind of expected it. I was having fun out there.”
With just weeks of golf under his belt, the former photographer called the experience “nerve-wracking” but “really cool.” Brushing off the family feud rumors - like his no-show at brother Romeo’s recent 23rd birthday bash - he leaned on his support system. “There’s always gonna be people saying negative things, but I have a very supportive wife. Me and her, we just do our thing,” he said, noting Nicola Peltz stayed back in LA to care for their four pups.
The match ended with Brooklyn and Kukoč falling to Manning and Jost, 7.5 to 3.5, and Team Europe losing overall to Team USA, 25 to 19. Still, Brooklyn kept his chin up, proving he’s got more grit than his golf swing might suggest.
While Brooklyn battled the bunkers, other A-listers brought their A-game to Bethpage Black. Catherine Zeta-Jones worked the course with charm, pausing for selfies and looking way more at ease than Brooklyn. Harry Potter alum Tom Felton also swung by, casting a spell on fans with his golfing moves.
The lineup was stacked with talent - think Michael Strahan, Miranda Lambert, Kane Brown, Bobby Flay, Pau Gasol, Noah Kahan, Oliver Phelps, John McEnroe, Teemu Selänne, and Chef José Andrés. Even with all that star power, Brooklyn’s rough day was the talk of the tournament, a reminder that not every celeb moment is a Hollywood highlight reel.
Later, Brooklyn cleaned up for the Glenfiddich x Aston Martin Formula One Team Limited Edition Scotch Whisky launch event, shaking off the day’s drama. But on the green, it was clear: this Beckham’s still got some swing to perfect before he’s ready for Pebble Beach.