Wrapping up the weekend

Add in the boorish behavior of the pro-American crowd at Bethpage Black Golf Course on Long Island, New York. By every account, many in the crowd went over the line in their lust to dehumanize men simply playing golf.

It was such an embarrassment that I found myself openly rooting for the European team because, let’s face it, they were the more likable guys.

Starting with the pay-to-play aspect. The European looked at a Ryder Cup invite as an honor and no payment was necessary.

The Americans, multi-millionaires who have been begging to be paid for years to play the Ryder Cup, insisted they get paid. The PGA of America acquiesced, not only giving the 12 American players $300,000, but another $200,000 “stipend.”

To a man, they all said they would donate that money to their “favorite” charities, which I’m sure have their names on it and will certainly have to take a cut for “administrative costs.”

Sunday showed that the American team was that in name only because, when paired together as teammates, they melted down. But when Sunday’s individual matches came along, the Americans made a run and made the final score of 15-13 not as close as it appeared.

So the U.S. dropped another Ryder Cup to the Europeans, which now has calls for the U.S. to add other countries to their roster to compete with the European continent.

Talk about sore losers.

***

While the final rounds of the Ryder Cup were being played, the 49ers hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars, which featured the return of quarterback Brock Purdy.

Uh — do the 49ers have a quarterback problem? They gave Purdy a huge payday in the offseason, but through two starts, he has as many touchdowns as turnovers, five of each. The 49ers had four Sunday in a 26-21 loss to the Jaguars, including two interceptions and a fumble from Purdy, which is not the expectation of a $50-million man.

Purdy said ahead of the season opener that last year he was trying to do too much. Seems like he has the same problem again this year.

I’m not saying Purdy isn’t it. Despite it being Week 4, it was only his second game of the season, so maybe he’s not quite settled in. But he better get there, quickly.

***

And then came the news Monday morning that the San Francisco Giants did, indeed, fire manager Bob Melvin. There was a lot of speculation about his future, especially considering the wild swings of successes and failures this season.

Despite getting a contract extension earlier in the season, president of baseball operations Buster Posey decided he was ready to put his own guy in there.

And no, it should not be Bruce Bochy. I know there is no more sentimental sports fan base than those in the Bay Area and Giants fans have been clamoring for Bochy’s return.

I’m not one of them. No more retreads.

***

Everyone knows that football is physical sport and for whatever reason, I seem to have an increased reaction to hits that I see on Friday nights this season.

And sometimes, it’s just incidental contact that makes the biggest impact.

In Friday’s Burlingame-Hillsdale matchup, a 17-14 Panthers win, Knights quarterback Grant Mattias escaped possible serious injury when his helmet was inadvertently ripped off his head following an accidental facemask grab by Burlingame defender, Quincy Yu.

There was no ill will. Yu, who was virtually unblockable during the game, came around the left corner and simply reached his hand out in attempt to get to Mattias.

His hand, however, fell right on Mattias’ facemask. Mattias’ momentum going forward, coupled with the Yu’s momentum going by him, resulted in Mattias’ helmet to be turned completely backward, the back side of his helmet was facing forward.

The ensuing momentum of both players caused the helmet to be ripped off his head and bounced along the turf.

Mattias was OK, but it was a personal foul, 15-yard facemask penalty. That kept the Knights’ opening scoring drive alive.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, here it is.

Nathan Mollat has been covering high school sports in San Mateo County for the San Mateo Daily Journal. since 2001. He can be reached by email: nathan@smdailyjournal.com.